If you are not from the UK you might not know why British people wear poppies and why they are all talking about the 5th of November. This year I have the chance to discover the British culture and traditions so if you are curious like me here is what you have to know:
Remembrance Day
Remembrance day takes place on November 11th. In 1918, this date was the end of the first World War. As you may know this day is to remember the soldiers who died during the first war.
In France, this is a national holiday and we usually have a minute of silence. On the other hand in UK, the commemoration starts at the beginning of November. The week before November 11th British people wear a poppy (which was one of the main plants in the fields of Northern France and Belgium) as a mark of respect for those who died during the war.
This year for the centenary of the WWI, the Tower of London is surrounded by thousands ceramic poppies.
Guy Fawkes Night
On November 5th, England celebrates Guy Fawkes Night (also called Bonfire Night). From what I understand Guy Fawkes was a member of the Gunpowder Plot made up of English Catholics. They wanted to kill the King who was Protestant and to settle a Catholic head of state. Guy Fawkes was caught putting explosives under the Parliament. So he got arrested and executed.
Since then, British people gather around bonfires and fireworks to celebrate the capture of Guy Fawkes. Usually they throw Guy Fawkes masks in the bonfires.
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