Guy Fawkes’ Day

Guy Fawkes Day, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night, is
an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain,
involving bonfires and fireworks displays. Its history begins with the events of 5 November
1605 O.S., when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while
guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. The Catholic plotters
had intended to assassinate Protestant king James I and his parliament. Celebrating that the
king had survived, people lit bonfires around London. Months later, the Observance of 5th
November Act mandated an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.

Activities

People build a big fire outside, with all the dead leaves and old pieces of wood they don’t want.
The fire is called a bonfire

They make a dummy of Guy Fawkes, from old clothes. Sometimes children carry the guy around
the streets to show people. They say: “penny for the guy” and ask people for money for
fireworks.

Some people have a bonfire with fireworks in their garden, but fireworks are expensive, so often
people get together and have one big party in a park or a field

Significance

On 5 November 1605, Londoners were encouraged to celebrate the King's escape from
assassination by lighting bonfires, provided that "this testemonye of joy be carefull done without
any danger or disorder"