2008 Woodie Awards
Hollow-ween in the UK
London Times: A look at the holidays in the UK that are different form America.
Jessica Estes
Issue date: 11/4/05 Section: Life & Times
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Expecting to brainstorm for days for creative costumes to adorn for Halloween, we were incredibly disappointed on All Hallows Eve abroad. We were truly spooked to find no one dressed in costume. In fact those running though the wet streets Monday night in tutus, fairy wings, and witch hats were clearly Americans just as surprised as we were.
Thankfully they redeem themselves for the inadequacies with this holiday over the next two weekends with the ever-popular Guy Fawkes Day and the Lord Mayor's Show.
Commemorating the capture of Guy Fawkes, a Catholic revolutionary who attempted to blow up Parliament and the King, the British gather around bonfires and marvel at a sky full of fireworks on 5 November.
After the death of Elizabeth I, her successor James I claimed the throne. Many expected that he would return the motherland to a Catholic country, especially since his mother was a Catholic. Instead, James I was just as intolerant as Elizabeth in terms of persecuting Catholics. This inspired thirteen young men to create the infamous gunpowder plot, attacking the government with violent actions.
The terrorists/revolutionaries collected 36 barrels of gunpowder, stored them in a cellar under the Houses of Parliament and prepared to take over the government. Just one problem; in an attempt to save the few remaining Catholic members of Parliament, they wrote a letter warning some to stay away from Parliament on 5 November. This letter was immediately taken to the King and the gunpowder plot was thus exposed. Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellar with the barrels and was subsequently tortured and killed in the Tower of London.
Parliament set alight bonfires to celebrate the saving of the King and his government - and the tradition has continued since 1605. Today, thousands of people gather to watch extensive firework displays, dance around bonfires and drink to Guy Fawkes. The irony is that people have yet to discern whether the British celebrate the capture and execution of Guy Fawkes or his attempt to dismantle the government.
Thankfully they redeem themselves for the inadequacies with this holiday over the next two weekends with the ever-popular Guy Fawkes Day and the Lord Mayor's Show.
Commemorating the capture of Guy Fawkes, a Catholic revolutionary who attempted to blow up Parliament and the King, the British gather around bonfires and marvel at a sky full of fireworks on 5 November.
After the death of Elizabeth I, her successor James I claimed the throne. Many expected that he would return the motherland to a Catholic country, especially since his mother was a Catholic. Instead, James I was just as intolerant as Elizabeth in terms of persecuting Catholics. This inspired thirteen young men to create the infamous gunpowder plot, attacking the government with violent actions.
The terrorists/revolutionaries collected 36 barrels of gunpowder, stored them in a cellar under the Houses of Parliament and prepared to take over the government. Just one problem; in an attempt to save the few remaining Catholic members of Parliament, they wrote a letter warning some to stay away from Parliament on 5 November. This letter was immediately taken to the King and the gunpowder plot was thus exposed. Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellar with the barrels and was subsequently tortured and killed in the Tower of London.
Parliament set alight bonfires to celebrate the saving of the King and his government - and the tradition has continued since 1605. Today, thousands of people gather to watch extensive firework displays, dance around bonfires and drink to Guy Fawkes. The irony is that people have yet to discern whether the British celebrate the capture and execution of Guy Fawkes or his attempt to dismantle the government.