Guy Fawkes Night 2011: Bonfire Night, Fireworks & Occupy Wall St

by NowPublic Staff | November 4, 2011 at 03:10 pm

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Guy Fawkes Night

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason Should ever be forgot...

So goes the rhyme associated with Guy Fawkes Night, also called Bonfire night, commemorating the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

The Guy Fawkes mask made famous by V for Vendetta is all the rage these days, appearing at Occupy Wall Street and other OWS-related demonstrations around the world. The mask has moved beyond plastic, and can be found as a Guy Fawkes bandanna.

In Britain, people will observe Bonfire Night by lighting Catherine Wheels and sparklers in their back gardens, as well as attending huge fireworks shows in parks. Ottery St. Mary is known for its tar barrels: locals carry flaming barrels through the streets on Guy Fawkes Night.

Quite a few fireworks celebrations, though, are taking place on the evening of November 4. Why settle for one fireworks night, when you can have two?

Feel free to add your own Bonfire Night pics and video to this story.

Bonus Bonfire Night Factoid: Guy Fawkes was caught by a search party led by Sir Thomas Knyvet, also spelled "Knevitt"; his modern-day descendant, Ellie Turner, is a professional fireworks expert.