Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night

Guy Fawkes, Google images

Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated on November 5th in the United Kingdom. The holiday is also called Bonfire Night, Cracker Night and sometimes Fireworks Night. It is the celebration of a foiled explosive plot against the Houses of Parliament in 1605, also known as the Gunpowder Plot. People celebrate the defeat of Guy Fawkes and his conspirators with fireworks and bonfires. 

More specifically, In 1605, a person named Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the British Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder. He, and his fellow conspirators, were caught after one of the group sent a letter to King James of England warning him to stay away from Parliament. Guy Fawkes was imprisoned and eventually put to death.

 

Nowadays, the British mark Guy Fawkes' Day (or simply Bonfire Night) by building bonfires and letting off fireworks. Traditionally, children make effigies of Fawkes from old clothes stuffed with newspaper, and display their "Guy" in the streets, asking "Penny for the Guy?", and expecting to receive some money. "Guys" are then thrown on the bonfire at the height of the celebrations.  Big firework displays are organised in public playing fields and open areas, usually with huge bonfires. The bonfires often take weeks to build, and in small communities and villages everyone will bring some wood to add to the pile.
Source: www.activityvillage.co.uk

Fireworks, Google images

The events of 1605 are also remembered in a nursery rhyme:

 "Remember, remember, the 5th of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

We see no reason why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot."

The Story of Guy Fawkes

FUN TIME!

Test your knowledge of the Gunpowder Plot with this interactive quiz. Answer the questions against the clock to track down the fizzing fuse. Fail and disaster is certain!

For more detailed information about this day, visit Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night.
For information in Greek, have a look here.



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