HOLIDAYS IN GREAT BRITAIN

Besides public holidays there are some special festivals in Great Britain.
One of them, Guy Fawkes Night, takes place on the 5-th of November. On that day, in 1605, Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and to kill King James I. He didnТt succeed. The KingТs men found the bomb, took Guy Fawkes to the Tower and cut off his head.
Since that day the British celebrate the 5-th of November. They burn a dummy, made of straw and old clothes, on a bonfire and let off fireworks. This dummy is called a СguyФ (like Guy Fawkes) and children can often be seen in the streets before the 5-th of November saying, УPenny for the guyФ. If they collect enough money they can buy some fireworks.

Besides, on the 14-th of February young people of Great Britain celebrate St. ValentineТs Day. It is not a national holiday and banks and offices are not closed. This is sweetheartsТ day when special greeting-cards in the form of a heart with verses or words of love are sent to people.