To all my British friends: Happy Guy Fawkes Night / Bonfire Night / Firework Night!

Guy Fawkes Day (Photo Credit: time.com)

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God’s providence he was catched
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holloa boys, holloa boys
God save the King!
Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!

A penny loaf to feed ol’ Pope
A farthing cheese to choke him
A pint of beer to rinse it down
A faggot of sticks to burn him
Burn him in a tub of tar
Burn him like a blazing star
Burn his body from his head
Then we’ll say ol’ Pope is dead.
Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!

Summary of its significance: On November 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes wanted to blow up the Parliament in an effort to help restore Catholicism in England. But his plan failed, and that failure is celebrated even 400+ years later by lighting fireworks, making bonfires, and  burning effigies of Guy Fawkes.

Read more about its history here at Time.