Bonfire Night.

"Remember, remember the 5th of November,

the Gunpowder Treason and plot.

I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot."

You may know these words only from V for Vendetta, but they actually have origins in the 17th century. On November 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes was discovered under the House of Lords, guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder that were meant to be used to blow up Parliament. Fawkes was part of a small group of Roman Catholics who felt they'd been treated unfairly under the Rule of Queen Elizabeth I and had hoped that King James I would be more lenient when it came to religion (after all, he had a Catholic mother).

But he wasn't, so they plotted to displace the Protestant rule by killing him.

Guy Fawkes, looking more dapper and full-bearded than
I expected after seeing those masks.

Fawkes was later hanged, drawn and quartered for his treason, and the Observance of 5th November Act made the day a public holiday. Because people celebrated the plot's failure with bonfires, it ultimately became known as Bonfire Night. Nowadays, fireworks are a big part of the celebration.

I guess its probably the closest thing I'll get to the 4th of July while I'm here...well, minus the summer weather, the grilling and the everyone's-wearing-an-American-flag-for-a-shirt part.

This was pretty much my exact outfit last Independence Day.

The plot is the basis for another tradition here as well. The Queen comes to Parliament once a year for a ceremony called the State Opening of Parliament. Prior to the Opening, the Yeomen of the Guard will search the cellars and the Palace of Westminster...you know, just in case.

Happy Bonfire Night to you!