Just over 400 years ago, a group of Englishmen attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 1605. Though their plot was foiled at the twelfth hour, the conspirators nonetheless secured a place in the history of England, largely thanks to the catchy verses that were written to vilify them. To this very day, much of the United Kingdom celebrates "Guy Fawkes Night" on November 5 by building bonfires, lighting fireworks, and devouring a variety of delectable treats.

Here at MIT, a few of our number decided to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day in a uniquely Institute fashion - with a hack! Late last night, I received a mysterious email from someone who identified him or herself only as "V" - influenced, no doubt, by the recent blockbuster movie V for Vendetta. The email contained a number of pictures, which I am more than happy to pass on to you.

As students and visitors entered the Infinite, particularly astute observers might have noticed that a few things were amiss...

In fact, Guy Fawkes masks were everywhere in the Infinite!

This is one of my favorites - looks like Guy Fawkes has a UROP!

Guy Fawkes gone wild.

It's B for Vendetta!

A rather impressive sight in Lobby 10.

Hackers even made some mischief in the Student Center.

Some alterations to the reliefs near 6-120, one of the larger lecture halls here.

Generations of students have rubbed George Eastman's nose to a bright yellow sheen. Apparently the same is true when George masquerades as Guy Fawkes.

In the Stata Center, even the famous Hilltop Steak House cow was taking part in the celebration!

While those are all the photos I have for now, this hack was much more widespread than these few photos can hope to illustrate. I'll be taking more photos throughout the day, and naturally I'll add them to this entry at the first opportunity. Until then, I leave you with a humble verse, my attempt to "hack" the original children's rhyme - with a suggestion from my friend "Alioth."

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The gunpowder mischief and hack.
I know of no reason why paper-mask treason
Should ever fade to black.

From Random to Senior, from the East to the West,
All of our hacks show why MIT is the best.
Holler boys, holler boys, salute to the Smoot.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the 'Tute!

Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)

"Remember remember the fifth of November
Hacking and sneaking a lot,
I see no reason why hacking and sneaking
Should ever be forgot..."
(taken from Snively's blog)

Paul, I'll forgive you for going FOREVER without a post, 'cuz this was a pretty good one. And I do love Guy Fawkes and MIT hacks

Posted by: Star on November 5, 2007

Extracirricular activities:

Should the subjects that I take on my own (I will go up to an exam on these two subjects: physics and chemistry) be listed as an Ex.act.?

I don't have a teacher in these subjects. My only responsibility is to show up on an exam.

Posted by: QuestionsMan on November 5, 2007

wow...i was going to go back after class to take pictures but now i don't have to!

Posted by: Grace '11 on November 5, 2007

Hah, the cow makes me incredibly happy inside.

If I weren't cramming for a physics exam, I'd go wonder the infinite to see them for myself. Hopefully everything's still up when I leave for class.

Posted by: ShawnOfAwesome on November 5, 2007

I dressed up as V on Halloween.

Hooray for Guy Fawkes!

Posted by: Marissa on November 5, 2007

I once memorized the entire V monologue... actually, I still know it Yeah, I'm kind of crazy...

Posted by: Star on November 5, 2007

Yay! A hack! I love hacks =))

Posted by: Hunter '11 on November 5, 2007

Hah, that's an awesome hack! Right now in my senior AP English class in high school we're reading Return of the Native in which, incidentally, the first scene with people in it is a celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. Haha, our teacher wouldn't celebrate in class though.

Posted by: Ben P. on November 5, 2007

Like Star said, I am forgiving you too ^^' .
Ah ! I knew that a hack post made by you would be totally complete ! Such ashame they will become memories, looks like it took a long time to make this one.

Posted by: Isshak on November 5, 2007

This literally rocks my freaking socks off.

Posted by: 0 on November 5, 2007

Here's my web gallery with all sorts of images:
http://ericschmiedl.com/hacks/index13.html

Posted by: Eric Schmiedl on November 5, 2007

NICE.

Go MIT!

Posted by: Jing Jing on November 5, 2007

I can't quite put my finger on it.. but there has to be a reason why Fawkes' mask is over arsenic on the periodic table

Posted by: Hyun Jin on November 5, 2007

@Hyud Jin
The Fawkes's mask is actually over the Vanadium. The symbol is a V, so I suppose it is rather fitting for a Fawkes's mask for that reason.

Posted by: ShawnOfAwesome on November 5, 2007

I loved the elephant one. I just had to smile when I saw it.

Posted by: Oasis on November 5, 2007

Ahh.. so it is.
Thanks, that was tickling my brain for a while.

Posted by: Hyun Jin on November 5, 2007

wait, you can get near 6-120 now?? my, how quickly things change.

Posted by: Sam on November 5, 2007

In what way couldn't you get near 6-120?

Posted by: ShawnOfAwesome on November 6, 2007

Yay for hacks!

Posted by: Elizabeth '11 on November 6, 2007

@ Sam

It's all done (I think), with a pretty new floor:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/green-center-tt1003.html

Posted by: DanN on November 6, 2007

I visited MIT for the first time EVER yesterday, and was really awed by the fact that I was actually at MIT. Then I saw those masks all over the place, and they just made me laugh - especially the elephant That really put the finishing touch on my fantastic visit :D

Posted by: Shantini on November 10, 2007

"I know of no reason why paper-mask treason/should ever fade to black?"

Posted by: Alioth on November 21, 2007

@ Alioth: I love it! I've already added your line - I was always bothered that I couldn't come up with a good rhyme for that line, thanks!

Posted by: Paul on November 21, 2007

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