Getting the Chop

"Remember, remember the fifth of November.
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.
I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot."

On that day Guido "Guy" Fawkes and others planned to place barrels of gunpowder under the Houses of Parliament in London. The plot fell apart when one of the conspirators told a friend who was a Member not to attend the session that day.

All of the conspirators were quickly rounded up, and on this day in history Guy Fawkes was hung, drawn and quartered. For those not familiar with this, it means he was hung until almost dead, then taken down, his body opened up and his own beating heart shown to him, then cut into quarters which were displayed at various places in the city - the standard punishment for traitors.

Did someone mention Sandy Berger? I could have sworn I heard something. Must just be the voices in my head again.

Also on this date in 1945, Private Eddie Slovik was executed by firing squad for desertion in the face of the enemy. He was the first soldier executed for this since the Civil War.