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Guy Fawkes
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Does anyone know when Guy Fawkes Night became Bonfire Night? And do any of today's children know the origin?
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It's always been both to my knowledge, just a different name for the same thing. See also Fireworks Night.
And most kids know of Guy Fawkes. After all, he, or a similar "Guy" is still burnt on the bonfire. One thing you don't see much anymore, and good riddance to it, are kids doing "Penny for the Guy".
And most kids know of Guy Fawkes. After all, he, or a similar "Guy" is still burnt on the bonfire. One thing you don't see much anymore, and good riddance to it, are kids doing "Penny for the Guy".
until 1859, the law mandated the commemoration of the failed 5th November plot......
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//Are all of today's children thick?//
I wouldn’t term them “tick” but many display a remarkable lack of general knowledge:
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“…researchers found that almost a quarter of the country’s young (23 per cent) thought Bonfire Night was a pagan festival, while another 17 per cent believed it was a ‘traditional celebration to ward off evil spirits’. As for Guy Fawkes himself, 74 per cent said they had heard of him, but a tenth thought he was a fictional character, while seven per cent laboured under the delusion that he achieved fame as the inventor of fireworks. Another seven per cent ticked the box claiming he was the designer of the fork, while six per cent thought he was an MP.”
“None of this would be very surprising, perhaps, if the 1,500 people interviewed were under ten years old. But they were all aged between 16 and 29, with at least 11 years of formal education under their belts.”
This lack of general knowledge is not, in my observations, confined to Guy Fawkes.
//Do any of today's children care. Probably not. And why should they?//
They should because it is an important part of their nation’s history, ken. The Catholic/Protestant friction in England in those times gave rise to conventions which carried on well into the 20th Century (restrictions on the monarch marrying a Catholic, etc.) and played a large part in shaping the country. If they have an interest in their nation’s history they should have an interest in the Gunpowder Plot. Unfortunately too few young people have any interest in such things.
//Why on earth do the British feel the need to celebrate a failed act of Terrorism that happened over 400 years ago?//
See above. It isn’t the act itself that should necessarily be of interest but the circumstances and events which led up to it.
I wouldn’t term them “tick” but many display a remarkable lack of general knowledge:
https:/
“…researchers found that almost a quarter of the country’s young (23 per cent) thought Bonfire Night was a pagan festival, while another 17 per cent believed it was a ‘traditional celebration to ward off evil spirits’. As for Guy Fawkes himself, 74 per cent said they had heard of him, but a tenth thought he was a fictional character, while seven per cent laboured under the delusion that he achieved fame as the inventor of fireworks. Another seven per cent ticked the box claiming he was the designer of the fork, while six per cent thought he was an MP.”
“None of this would be very surprising, perhaps, if the 1,500 people interviewed were under ten years old. But they were all aged between 16 and 29, with at least 11 years of formal education under their belts.”
This lack of general knowledge is not, in my observations, confined to Guy Fawkes.
//Do any of today's children care. Probably not. And why should they?//
They should because it is an important part of their nation’s history, ken. The Catholic/Protestant friction in England in those times gave rise to conventions which carried on well into the 20th Century (restrictions on the monarch marrying a Catholic, etc.) and played a large part in shaping the country. If they have an interest in their nation’s history they should have an interest in the Gunpowder Plot. Unfortunately too few young people have any interest in such things.
//Why on earth do the British feel the need to celebrate a failed act of Terrorism that happened over 400 years ago?//
See above. It isn’t the act itself that should necessarily be of interest but the circumstances and events which led up to it.
The children are partially to blame because many of them demonstrate no curiosity or inquisitiveness. I didn't learn everything I know from either school or parents. I found things out for myself. If I heard of something unfamiliar to me I'd usually find a book to read up the details. Young people today don't have to go to that trouble because they have the internet. You cannot be personally taught everything you know. Sometimes you have to make an effort to find out things for yourself.
However, as far as the Gunpowder Plot goes, it should be taught in school. The 16th and 17th Centuries were turbulent times in this country, particularly as far as the Monarchy and religious intolerance goes, and much of what happened had a profound influence on the development of modern Britain.
However, as far as the Gunpowder Plot goes, it should be taught in school. The 16th and 17th Centuries were turbulent times in this country, particularly as far as the Monarchy and religious intolerance goes, and much of what happened had a profound influence on the development of modern Britain.
Many children do just that even now, follow up on things that catch their attention and want to learn more - however we cannot expect them all to know the nuts and bolts of every topic.
Day after day on here when viewing crossword and puzzle Q&As I see people say 'I never knew that' (including me).
Learning in a lifelong occupation.
Day after day on here when viewing crossword and puzzle Q&As I see people say 'I never knew that' (including me).
Learning in a lifelong occupation.
