Remember, remember... the Fifth of November

Tonight is Guy Fawkes' Night, or Bonfire night.

Remember remember the fifth of November,

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot,

I see no reason why gunpowder and treason

should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent

to blow up the King and the Parliament.

Three score barrels of powder below,

Poor old England to overthrow:

By God's providence he was catch'd

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

Hip hip hoorah!

In 1605, James I, Protestant, was King of England. A group of Catholic opponents planned to blow up the Parliament by arranging 36 barrels of gun powder in the Houses of Parliament's cellar on a day when the King was due to visit. Betrayed by a member of the gang, Guy Fawkes was caught before the powder was lit, tortured and executed.

But that was over 400 years ago. We do not experience conflicts based on different religious beliefs anymore. We have moved on. We don't kill each other for believing in different divinities or for not believing. We don't think of ourselves superior. And torture and execution have now disappeared. We would not dare judging somebody else's and deprive him/her of his/her life. We now recognise that we are all equal human beings, whatever our personal beliefs are.

...eeehh... U-TO-PIA... is the word to describe the above nonsense. Not a reality yet. One day maybe???

Anyway...
Since then and every year on 5th November, Bonfire Night is celebrated across the United Kingdom by extensive fireworks and bonfires burning the effigy of Guy Fawkes.

The King/Queen of England comes only once a year for the opening of parliament and before he/she enters the building, the cellar is thoroughly searched.

I like fireworks displays but I find it incredible that they are available to be purchased by anyone, even in corner shops and supermarkets. This means that as well as having fireworks and bonfires organised by local councils, many people organise their own little private fireworks in their back gardens. Not unpleasant to see fireworks from the livingroom window, but I find the whole thing very hazardeous. And at least I believe that a new legislation from two years ago should forbid shopkeepers to sell fireworks to under 18s. I still have a question. At such a time of the year when it is dark at 5pm, why do some neighbours lit their fireworks at Midnight???

Oh, grumpy old me, I'll go and make dinner, and then watch The Pink Panther to cheer me up!