Remember, Remember...
The 5th of November!
It's Guy Fawkes Night in England! A night of bonfires 🔥, fireworks 🎇, and a fascinating bit of history. Let's dive in!
The Gunpowder Plot 📜
Ever wonder why there are so many fireworks? It all goes back to 1605...
A man named Guy Fawkes and his group weren't happy with King James I. They hatched a plan—the "Gunpowder Plot"—to blow up the Houses of Parliament!
They smuggled 36 barrels of gunpowder into a cellar right under the building. 😲
But... someone sent an anonymous letter, the plot was discovered, and Guy Fawkes was caught red-handed in the cellar on November 5th. The King and Parliament were saved!
To celebrate the King's survival, people lit bonfires all over London. And that's a tradition that has lasted over 400 years!
How We Celebrate Today! 🔥
Big Bonfires
Huge public bonfires are lit. Often, an effigy (a dummy) of Guy Fawkes, known as "the Guy," is placed on top to be burned.
Amazing Fireworks
This is the main event! People gather for massive, spectacular firework displays that light up the cold November sky. "Ooooh! Aaaah!"
"Penny for the Guy?" 💰
In the days leading up to it, you might see children with their homemade "Guy" dummies, asking passersby for a "penny for the Guy" to spend on sweets or sparklers!
Light Your Own Firework! 💥
It's cold out, so here's a virtual display. Click the button to set one off!
Bonfire Night Quick Quiz!
1. What was the name of the man caught in the cellar?
2. What were the plotters trying to blow up?
3. In which year did the Gunpowder Plot take place?
4. What is traditionally placed on top of some bonfires?
5. Which phrase is famously recited on November 5th?
6. What was Guy Fawkes' role in the plot?
7. The UK Parliament sits in which building?
8. What do some children traditionally ask for in the days before Bonfire Night?