English Traditions

So we are learning new things during our time here is London, the first one I love, the second not so much.  First is the Poppy Appeal

The use of the poppy was inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields". Its opening lines refer to the many poppies that were the first flowers to grow in the churned-up earth of soldiers' graves in Flanders, a region of Europe that overlies parts of Belgium and France. The poem was written by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae on 3 May 1915 after witnessing the death of his friend, a fellow soldier, the day before. The poem was first published on 8 December 1915 in the London-based magazine Punch. (thanks Wikipedia)
    

Every November the ©The Royal British Legion, sells little paper poppies to raise money for the Veterans.  It's huge here!  Every one wears poppy's on their lapels or jackets.  I remember as a little girl, buying little red paper flowers but I didn't  understand what it was about. I suppose that you can't really understand it at that age, but I can't tell you the last time I saw someone selling them in the states.  That's too bad.  This is a beautiful tradition.



A pile of little red poppies they sell as a fund raiser for Veterans.

The other is Guy Fawkes Day (sounds like Fox).  It's a huge celebration which I suppose isn't much unlike our Fourth of July, but instead of being a day to celebrate our independence, Guy Fawkes day is to celebrate capturing a man who wanted to assassinate a Protestant King and replace him with a Catholic Head of State. This happened in 1605.  They celebrate with fireworks and a big bon fire where they throw an effigy of Guy Fawkes into the fire and cheer while it burns.  One of our young adults said it is her second favorite holiday after Christmas.  Hmmm.  Give me red poppies any day!

An effigy of Guy Fawkes being burned in a bon fire.

An update: So my British friends tell me that while this holiday started by remembering the day they burned Guy Fawkes, any more it is referred to as Bon Fire Day, that most people don't burn anything , except maybe marshmellows.  From how she described it, is very much like our Fourth of July Celebration. Except it's cold and rainy here.  :-)