5 November 2021

On the 5 November 1605 Guy Fawkes and others very nearly got away with blowing up the Houses of Parliament in England and potentially radically changing the history of the word. This act of treason has been remembered every 5 November ever since and immortalised in the 1742 peom below:

Don't you Remember,
The Fifth of November,
'Twas Gunpowder Treason Day,
I let off my gun,
And made'em all run.
And Stole all their Bonfire away.

The tradition of building "guys", travelling round asking for "A Penny for the Guy", placing them on the top of bonfires and lighting fireworks has always been exciting and loved by children. I certainly remember doing it from my own childhood, particularly remember the fireworks and hot food!

But, how many people stop and think about how different the word would have been if they had been successful, maybe no different at all, maybe radically different. Who knows for sure? What do you think? Let me know.

Either way, it should at least give a pause to thought. Remember, remember People should not be afraid of their Government, Governments should be afraid of their people.