Remember, Remember the 5th of November

So, perhaps I'll plan to end up in the Jolly Ole' UK around this time during my RTW trip.  Specifically, I want to end up in Ottery St. Mary, which provides one of the more epic celebrations for Thanksgiving in the UK.

What they're celebrating is not "Thanksgiving" as Americans know it, but rather giving thanks that the king was able to survive an assassination attempt.  It all started with King James taking over the British throne.  While he was "more tolerant" than his predecessor when it came to Catholic-Protestant relations (he is the King James of the King James Version of the Bible, and  Protestant.)  The Catholics were peeved that they could submit to the pope for sovereignty, but had to submit to the king.  Also, he was a major dick to them, as he exiled all the priests and Jesuits from the country.  And, to make things worse, he instituted what I'm calling a "Catholic Tax"--a fine for being Catholic.  

Thus, a group of Catholics decided that an attack on Parliament on the day that it opened (November 5, 1605) was the best option.  People hoped to use this is a starting point for a popular uprising, that would end with a 9-year-old girl becoming the new, Catholic head-of-state.  Oh, the uprising was meant to capture said 9-year-old.  Also planned to perish were other high-ranking government officials who may have a claim to the throne.

Well, clearly the king was tipped off by someone in parliament who was tipped off by someone looking out for a relative in the attack.  Thus, November 5th became a day for Thanksgiving in the UK, as the king was still alive.

Now, Ottery St. Mary has one of the more intense celebrations.  There were to be 30 barrels of gunpowder set off in the attack, so they carry, through town, thirty barrels that are covered in tar and set on fire.  Additionally, large-scale city-wide bonfires are common through the country, as is burning and effigy of Guy Fawkes, the main planner of the attack.  Fireworks are also set off.

Oh, religious disagreement.  Never shall you leave us.

So, do remember, remember the 5th of November.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_Plot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottery_St_Mary