An interactive cultural timeline

4th Thursday in Nov. : Thanksgiving

A Christian tradition from Europe lives on in America.

4th Thursday in Nov. : Thanksgiving

Turkey cookies. Photo whgrad (CC BY).
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Photo Satya Murthy (CC BY).

Thanksgiving Day is a federal legal holiday in the United States. It was first celebrated in America in an English colony of New England. After the first harvest on American soil by the Plymouth colonists in 1621, Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day to thank God for the gifts of the earth, a thanksgiving celebration that also exists in Europe (Erntedankfest, fête des moissons). It was shared by colonists and neighbouring friendly Native Americans who had helped them with precious advice growing unknown crops like maize and pumpkin.

In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared a federal day of thanksgiving, and since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation.

Thanksgiving is also a holiday in Canada. After the independance of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain in 1776. the northern region of English America remained loyal to the King. When France had to abandon her Quebec colony it was added to the English possessions that later became the Dominion of Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated there on the second Monday in October.
5th Nov. : Guy Fawkes Night

The wars of religion in the 17th century live on in this popular macabre tradition.

5th Nov. : Guy Fawkes Night

The Gunpowder Conspirators are discovered and Guy Fawkes is caught in the cellar of the Houses of Parliament with the explosives. Unknown author (Public Domain).
Sparkler, violent reaction. Photo Gabriel Pollard (CC BY-SA).

Yorkshireman Guy Fawkes , a militant Catholic engaged in religious strife, was one of the instigators to the 1605 Gunpowder plot that intended to kill the members of Parliament they hated. They hoped to restore a Catholic king in England. A cellar under the House of Lords was secretly filled with barrels of black gunpowder that would explode when the members were present. But the conjuration was betrayed.Guy Fawkes and 7 of his friends were caught, tortured and savagely executed.

A doll made by children out of rags and old newspapers The guy will be burnt on a bonfire each year all over England, accompanied by a firework display, as a sign of the horror at his criminal plan and the joy that it was avoided. Children go begging for money to buy firecrackers and sweets Penny for the guy.
5th Nov. : Flaming Tar Barrels (Ottery Saint Mary, Devon UK)

A spectacular celebration is held every year in a Devon village on the south coast of England.

5th Nov. : Flaming Tar Barrels (Ottery Saint Mary, Devon UK)

Bonfire - Ottery St Mary. Photo Rob Valkass (CC BY-NC-SA).

Wooden barrels are coated inside with tar then set on fire to be carried on the back of local Barrel Rollers through the streets of the village. This century old tradition seems to be linked with the Guy Fawkes bonfires, but its different feel is preserved by the inhabitants of Ottery. The night ends with a huge bonfire with a guy burnt on top of it.
10th Nov. : Lord Mayor’s Show & Fireworks Display (London)

The newly elected Lord Mayor of London travels to Westminster to visit Parliament.

10th Nov. : Lord Mayor’s Show & Fireworks Display (London)

Lord Magog. Photo Ruth Geach (CC BY-NC-ND).
Troops in the Lord Mayor's show. Photo UK Minister of Defence (CC BY-NC-ND).

The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of the City of London is an elected officer , his role is to represent, support and promote the businesses and the people of the City of London. The function was established in the 12th century, this venerable institution is still alive nowadays.

On the day after taking office in November for one year, the Lord Mayor's Show is held. The Lord Mayor, wearing a traditional costume, in a richly decorated State Coach drawn by horses, travels in a procession to the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, in Westminster. There he swears allegiance to the Sovereign in the presence of the judges of the High Court.

The Lord Mayor’s Show is the occasion of a display of traditional costumes and a yearly revival of municipal autonomy.The Show ends with fireworks along the banks of the Thames.
11th Nov. : Remembrance Day (UK)

Honour the memory of those who fought and died for King and Country.

11th Nov. : Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom

Remembrance in Westminster UK. Photo Wally Gobetz (CC BY-NC-ND).
Gun salute to the fallen heroes. Photo Stuart Williams (CC BY-NC-ND).

The Queen, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries lay wreaths and observe a minute's silence at 11am at the Cenotaph in London to commemorate those who gave their lives for their country in both world wars. Afterwards, the Anglican Bishop of London takes a short service of remembrance.
30th Nov. : Saint Andrew's Day Cill Rimhinn

The National Day of Scotland.

30th Nov. : Saint Andrew's Day Cill Rimhinn

St Andrews Cross. Photo Jodie van de Wetering (CC BY-NC).

The church festival of St. Andrew is Scotland’s National Day.

Apostle Andrew was the brother of apostle Peter, he died a martyr crucified on an X-shaped cross, a saltire. Relics of Andrew were brought from Constantinople to the place where the modern town of St Andrews stands today. He became the patron saint of Scotland.in the 10th century. Before a battle, the Pictish king recognised Saint Andrew’s cross in cloud formations, he had a church built as thank for the victory on the saint’s tomb.

The national flag of Scotland bears a white saltire, or Saint Andrew’s cross on a skyblue background. True Scots love to fly the white saltire flag and eat traditional Scottish food like haggis, hotch potch, neeps or tatties on this day.

St Andrew’s Day stands at the beginning of Advent, the four weeks preceding Xmas. Around midnight on November 29, girls pray to St Andrew for a good husband. Make a wish and look for a sign that you had been heard.