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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Guy Fawkes Night
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Annual celebration on November 5, decreed by parliament as an occasion of national thanksgiving after the discovery of the *Gunpowder Plot. The central feature is the bonfire on which an effigy of Guy Fawkes is burnt, though in modern times fireworks play a larger part. 'Penny for the guy' is the traditional plea of children collecting money in the preceding days. There are tales that in centuries past live cats were put inside the guy to make his end more exciting.
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