On 5th November 1605 a man called Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the British houses of parliament. He was part of a group of men and their mission was to kill King James and several of his leaders by setting barrels of gunpowder below the room where a meeting was to be held. Guy Fawkes was meant to light the fuse but the plot was discovered, Guy was captured and subsequently hung.
As early as 1607 the day was celebrated. King James declared the day a public holiday because he was so pleased the plot was foiled. Ever since, Guy Fawkes Day has been a time for merrymaking. It is a holiday that both children and adults can enjoy. And the fun really begins when darkness falls, then “the “Guy” is tossed onto the bonfire, and set alight. Then the fireworks go off, and “the Guy” goes up in a flames.
With our English connection (we’re a member of the Commonwealth and Queen Elizabeth is our sovereign) we celebrate Guy Fawkes day here in New Zealand. During past years accidents with fire crackers, injuries and property damage have increased to the point where there is continual talk about banning the sale of fireworks. This year fireworks went on sale on 2 November. Already we’ve had accidents and fires. Personally, I’m not a fan and our little dog is terrified of them. Things are a little easier now she’s going deaf but she’ll be sleeping inside for the next two weeks until everyone in the neighborhood uses up their supplies! It wouldn’t worry me at all if firework sales are banned to the public and only public displays were allowed. We normally have a family get together, a BBQ and when it gets dark the fireworks come out.
Does anyone else celebrate Guy Fawkes day? What do you do to celebrate?
We had an awesome weekend in Rotorua and Taupo, although the weather wasn’t the best. I’ll post some photos later in the week but my highlights for the weekend were spending time with hubby, going to the Blueberry and Honey places (lots of yummy samples) and our visit to Wai-o-tapu, a thermal area between Rotorua and Taupo. I see Wylie has tagged me with the same meme that Rhian has so visit tomorrow and I’ll reveal all about Auckland.
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November 5th, 2007 at 7:47 am · Link
I don’t celebrate this day but it’s so very interesting, and Shelley I’m so glad you had a great trip!!
November 5th, 2007 at 7:52 am · Link
Down here we’re celebrating the Discovery of Puerto Rico next Monday. Love to have holidays! hehehe!
Enjoy your holiday! *cracks some fireworks*
November 5th, 2007 at 8:27 am · Link
We do 4th of July here, and we lurv our fireworks! We set them off in the middle of the street.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:20 am · Link
Ah, I’d forgotten about 4th of July. I love holidays, too. We’ve run out – no more holidays for us until Christmas now.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:47 am · Link
No Guy Fawkes day here, but we have the firework problem on New Year’s Eve. It won’t be so bad if the idiots only blew themselves up – call it Darwin’s selection
– but too often there are fires, and bystanders involved.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:30 pm · Link
I had no idea NZ did Guy Fawkes night. It’s a total non event here in Oz. Funny how some things get celebrated and others don’t. New Years Eve is the big fireworks festival here.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:07 pm · Link
I’m glad you had a great trip and Happy Guy Fawkes day!!!
Guy Fawkes what a nutter eh?
I saw a program where they recreated the attempt … I can’t remember what it was called but if he had of succeeded he would have caused some major damage.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:04 pm · Link
See, why don’t we celebrate this in Canada?? We need more holidays!!
November 5th, 2007 at 8:31 pm · Link
LOL about Darwin’s selection, Gabriele – it’s usually totally innocent people who get hurt here, too.
Keziah – you don’t celebrate Guy Fawkes in Australia? I would have thought you would have since we do. Weird but we don’t have crackers for New Year.
Amy – I think it’s weird we remember the plot at all since it was so long ago!
Christine – I’ll swap you a Halloween for Guy Fawkes
November 5th, 2007 at 9:22 pm · Link
I only know of Guy Fawkes day from living in Bermuda. The limey expats DO indeed celebrate!
I was in England one year during the latter part of October and couldn’t figure out why the small towns seemed to have heaps of wood (rubbish?) in there town centers.
That was my first intro!
November 6th, 2007 at 8:00 am · Link
I’d never heard of it before. Sounds fun.
Here we’re just gearing up. We have Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve to do. By the time January rolls around I’ll be glad for the break.