Living in the UK: November, the Month of History and Remembrance
The United Kingdom is a country with a long history. And sometimes, these histories do not stay in books and records, but find their ways into everyday life, customs, and special dates of commemorations. And this November, there are two very important days of commemorations coming!
5 November: Guy Fawkes Night
The story (Part 1 / Part 2) of the Gunpowder plot and Guy Fawkes, produced by the UK Parliament. You can also find some excellent teaching materials (in English) on this history for your children here at BBC Teach.
Guy Fawkes Night (also known as Bonfire Night) first started as a state commemoration of King James I surviving the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, in which a group of Catholics plotted to end the persecution of Catholics by blowing up the King and the parliament. After discovering the plot, people lit bonfires around London to celebrate James I’s survival, and thus began the century-old practices of bonfires and revels (and sometimes even violence) on Guy Fawkes Nights.
Once a festival marked with strong anti-Catholic overtones, nowadays Guy Fawkes Night has lost much of its original sectarian emphases and has become a night of fun, where people enjoy bonfires, firework, and food (like bangers, baked potatoes, and bonfire toffee). Although many local councils cancelled their Bonfire Night events again this year due to rising COVID case numbers, you may still see your neighbourhood lit up by fireworks and bonfires on this coming 5 November, as it is legal for the public to buy and light up fireworks within limits in the UK.
Caution: Firework Safety
Hundreds of burnt accidents happen across the UK on Bonfire Night every year. So, remember to keep your children at a safe distance from the bonfire / firework if you are invited to a Bonfire Night event. Pets can be frightened by the loud fireworks, so you may want to keep them indoors, close the curtains, and switch on the telly or play some music to keep them calm.
11 November: Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is the memorial day honouring soldiers who died in battles. It began in 1919 and has since then been observed annually in the UK and in other Commonwealth member states. On that day, wreath-laying ceremonies are held at war memorials across the UK. At 11:00 am, “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” - the same hour when the armistice was signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente on 11 November 1918 ending the First World War - two minutes of silence is observed to remember those fallen in battle.
You can also find teaching materials (in English) on Remembrance Day here at BBC Teach.
Remembrance poppies are artificial flowers sold by the Royal British Legion to collect donations to support veterans and members of the armed forces in the weeks before Remembrance Day. Public figures, the Royal Family, and members of the general public wear these pins from late October until mid-November as a sign of commemorating the dead and of showing support to those serving.
Image by Mike Weston ABIPP - Photo. Metadata source, OGL v1.0, Wiki Commons
Remembrance Sunday
While the anniversary of the Armistice is on 11 November, in the UK the main observance usually falls on Remembrance Sunday (the Sunday nearest to 11 November). National service as well as regional ceremonies and church services are held on that day, during which poppy wreaths are laid by members of the Royal Family, the armed forces, government officials, and local organisations (including veteran organisations). A short period of silence (usually for a minute or two) and prayers are often included in church services on Remembrance Sundays as well.
