User blog comment:Mr.Robbo/New Civilization/@comment-5870856-20130928212333/@comment-5135903-20131004185713

"Remember, remember!

The fifth of November,

The Gunpowder treason and plot;

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes and his companions

Did the scheme contrive,

To blow the King and Parliament

All up alive.

Threescore barrels, laid below,

To prove old England's overthrow.

But, by God's providence, him they catch,

With a dark lantern, lighting a match!

A stick and a stake

For King James's sake!

If you won't give me one,

I'll take two,

The better for me,

And the worse for you.

A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,

A penn'orth of cheese to choke him,

A pint of beer to wash it down,

And a jolly good fire to burn him.

Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!

Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!

Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!"

On the 5th of November 1605, Guy Fawkes and his associates smuggled barrels of gunpowder into the cellars of the Houses of Parliament, planning to blow up Parliament and kill the king. Luckily, government was tipped off and Guy Fawkes was captured and executed just in time.

While, in the USA, the 4th of July is celebrated with fireworks. In Britain, fireworks are instead deployed on Guy Fawkes Night. Traditionally, a scarecrow is made to represent Guy Fawkes, which is carried around town before being thrown on a bonfire (for being a traitor who tried to kill the king and all that...)

I think that pretty much explains it!