An increasing number of people around the world are remembering the 5th of November and each year the memories evoked diverge.
In 1605 (Guy Fawkes Day -1), a group of rebels including the famous one now on the mask, had an idea: blow up the English Parliament with King James in it, presumably to start over afterwards over with a government closer to the people. The "Gunpowder Plot" failed when Fawkes was discovered "guarding" his bomb.
James felt this operational shortcoming was further proof of his divine right to rule and it is the celebration of Fawke's failure that is the basis of the holiday. For 3 centuries it was mandatory to celebrate the squashing of rebellion and burn an effigy of Fawkes; the popular masks are actually a prop, part of the fun that surrounds an otherwise chilling reminder of what happens to rebels in England.
It wasn't until the 1980s that Alan Moore's V for Vendetta character started the backfiring of the intended celebration of Guy Fawkes day. As a modern day Guy Fawkes V exploded empty buildings and only shed the blood of those that had previously hurt him personally. The classic graphic novel was made into a film and in the 21st century Guy Fawkes masks were used by protestors as a means to build upon the emotions of the V character and achieve the anonymity that characterises the contemporary pursuit of freedom. Online activists Anonymous used the mask to transpose their characters from text to video.
When online rebels created the darknet as a new kind of haven, the symbolism of November 5th was brought along with proclamations and celebrations on the day itself (with free drugs replacing bonfires). The anonymity of V has become an even stronger symbol in this realm where anonymity is an existential condition. Then the King struck back.
On November 5th 2014 the darknet was struck by operation Onymous, with American and allied law enforcement shutting down sites, seizing bitcoins, and arresting de-anonymized participants. The rebels were virtually executed.
More than any other day November 5th is a living dialogue between people and government. It has evolved from England and gunpowder to worldwide networks and masked protestors.
There is no reason to believe anyone will ever forget the 5th of November.
