Guy Fawkes Day is one of those things I never heard about growing up. I knew little about til recently and still don’t. A friend from Britain has told me some about it, but no details stuck with me.
It’s an English thing, a European thing. I think it’s just as well that we are ignorant of it.
"As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form'd for the observance of that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the Effigy of the pope - He cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be Officers and Soldiers in this army so void of common sense, as not to see the impropriety of such a step at this Juncture; at a Time when we are solliciting, and have really obtain'd, the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada, whom we ought to consider as Brethren embarked in the same Cause. The defence of the general Liberty of America: At such a juncture, and in such Circumstances, to be insulting their Religion, is so monstrous, as not to be suffered or excused; indeed instead of offering the most remote insult, it is our duty to address public thanks to these our Brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy Success over the common Enemy in Canada." ~ Order in Quarters, General George Washington, November 5, 1775.
Murderous Rebellion against the government for religious persecution.
So wonder if it had not been for a delay in the meeting of Parliament due to the lingering traces of bubonic plague in London, King James, Queen Anne, his eldest son and both Houses of Parliament might have all been killed in a single event.