In Britain, Bonfire Night (5th November) has a history as an especially badly behaved festival. 'Bonfire Boys' would take over neighbourhoods, light fires in the streets, set off fireworks indiscriminately, roll blazing tar barrels along roads, and engage in acts of vandalism. There were also fights, loud and discordant music, and the parading of effigies of Guy Fawkes, for which money was collected from shopkeepers and passers-by in a rather direct manner. The attempts of the authorities to suppress these celebrations often led to pitched battles with the police. Eventually, the authorities got their way and Bonfire Night was tamed, with either suburban back-garden events or well-organised municipal displays becoming the norm. #history #folklore #BonfireNight #weird