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This is the 406th anniversary of the demise of Guy Fawkes (1570 – 1606), who died after jumping from a scaffold as he was readied for a public execution. He was to have been hanged, then drawn and quartered. Fawkes was one of several restorationists whose hopes of reviving Catholic rule ultimately led to their conviction of conspiracy during the final months of the previous year. Although planned by Robert Catesby (1573 – 1605), Fawkes was charged with the execution of an attempt to assassinate Parliament and James I & VI (1566 – 1625) during a session of the legislature on Nov. 5th of 1605. Having been warned of the plot, officials discovered Fawkes in the cellars of Parliament on the eve of the session. The same search uncovered 2 tons of gunpowder.
In England, the failure of the Gunpowder Plot is celebrated on its anniversary annually as Guy Fawkes Day (also known as "Bonfire" Night). As dusk waxes, bonfires are lit and fireworks are ignited in towns throughout the land. Also, Fawkes is commonly burned in effigy.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes and http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=4724&HPF_rid=36892318&HPF_mid=3316_T1_Url3 for more information. |
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