Guy Fawkes Day; The Bonfire Night

The Guy Fawkes Day also called the Bonfire Night is mostly celebrated in the U.K and other countries which had been under the British rule. The Guy Fawkes has an interesting story; it so happened that the Catholics faced many persecutions during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1. With her death in 1603, James 1 was named her successor. As James 1 had a Catholic mother, the Catholics thought that there hardships would lessen if not ended but this was not to be. James 1 proved to be as cruel as his predecessor. Disillusioned by this situation, a group of Catholic young men decided to put an end to this tyranny by blowing up the House of Parliament when it was in session with the King and other Members of Parliament in it. To carry out the plan, the conspirators stored 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar under the House of Lords. The plot was unveiled before it could be put into action and Guy Fawkes a soldier was unfortunately caught with the barrels of gunpowder. He was tortured and finally executed.

This event took place on the night of the 4th and 5th November and on the morning of 5th November, Church bells rang announcing the King’s safety. The Londoners lit bonfires to express their relief. This tradition changed with ages and now it is a common practice to burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes in the bonfire as well.

Since then 5th November is called the Guy Fawkes Day or Bonfire Night.

Throughout U.K there is a spectacular display of fireworks. The children make a “Guy” with pieces of old clothes and old newspapers or any ignitable material. They carry it around the streets asking for a penny for poor Guy. This money was earlier used to buy fireworks. But with a ban on fireworks, it goes to the candy store. At night the Guy is put on top of bonfire; the sky breaks into colors when the bonfire is lit.

Boxing Day

In Britain, Boxing Day is the day after Christmas that is 26th December. In some countries it is the first week day after Christmas. It is the day the Christmas box is opened and its contents shared among the poor.

In olden days, a clay or a wooden box was a container in which people placed their gifts and alms. There are many stories associated with the origins of Boxing Day. One of them is that on Christmas day, a box was placed in the church for collecting money. This box was opened the next day and the money collected was distributed among the poor.

According to another, the wealthy families gave gift boxes to their servants on the day after Christmas. In the 18th century the lord and ladies packed the leftover food in the boxes and gave them away to their tenants who lived on their lands.

Some believe that when a ship set sail, a Christmas box was kept on the ship by a priest and the sailors put coins in it for a safe journey. The box was then sealed and on safe return the box was handed over to the priest who distributed it among the needy.

Boxing Day is also known as St. Stephen’s day. St Stephen was the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death because he believed in the Christ.

In Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, Boxing Day is a public holiday. Boxing Day is also associated with sports. Traditionally hunting took place in the U.K but now football and horse racing have become more popular.

New Year’s Eve

December 31st the last day of the year is popularly known as New Year’s Eve. The day begins with a suppressed excitement as everyone waits eagerly for the year to end and the new one to begin. Newspapers take out special editions in which a summary of the major happenings in all fields art, cinema, local and international politics is published. Television and radio too discuss the main events, achievements and failures of the year. As soon as the sunsets, a round of parties begins. Mostly families and friends get to together for dinners and recollect the past years events. Young people party and dance all night long. People generally make New Year resolutions though a large does not abide by them. Some common resolutions are to quit smoking, give up alcohol, lose weight etc. The most common way world wide to greet the New Year and to say farewell to the old one is a magnificent display of fireworks.

When it comes to fireworks at New Year’s Eve, Australia leads the rest of the world. It is also one of the few countries to welcome the New Year first because of its location and its time zone. The biggest display is held at the Sydney Harbor with the Sydney Harbor Bridge the main centre. It is theme oriented and the most watched fireworks display of the world.

There are two shows one is held at 9:00 P.M and is known as the family show, it is on a small scale. The main event takes place when both hands of the clock join at 12 midnight to announce the arrival of the New Year. The show generally lasts 15 to 20 minutes and is followed by musical concerts.

In England, the biggest celebrations take place around the London Eye; the biggest Ferris Wheel of Europe. A spectacular display of fireworks is launched from the London Eye itself.

Each country has its own way to greet the New Year, the methods may vary the world over but the hope that the coming year brings prosperity, peace and love lingers in the heart of every human being. Happy New Year Readers..!!