The History Of Bonfire Night Explained

Bonfire Night, otherwise known as Guy Fawkes Night, Cracker Night or Fireworks Night is a celebration which occurs every year on the evening of the 5th of November. It celebrates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of the 5 November 1605 in which a number of Catholic conspirators, including a man named Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, England.

The discovery of the plot is notably marked in the United Kingdom and was even compulsory, by Royal Decree, to celebrate the deliverance of the King until 1859. Former British colonies including New Zealand, parts of Canada, and parts of the British Caribbean also celebrate the event. Bonfire Night was also common in Australia until the 1980s, but it was held on the Queen's Birthday long weekend in June some states, for example, New South Wales and 5 November in others, such as Victoria.

The plot has an interesting history and story behind it. After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, English Catholics who had been heavily persecuted under her rule had hoped that her successor, James I, would be more tolerant of Catholics and accept their religion. James I had, after all, had a Catholic mother. Unfortunately, James was not more tolerant than Elizabeth and thus the men decided violent action was in order.

The plan was to blow up parliament using 36 barrels of gun powder, which the men managed to get hold of and store under the House of Lords. However, as the group continued to scheme, a few of them got cold feet. They realised innocent people would get injured during the explosion, including some people who fought for more rights for Catholics, which would obviously be detrimental to their cause. One of the group members sent an anonymous letter warning his friend, Lord Monteagle, to stay away from the Parliament on November 5th. The warning letter reached the King and the King's forces made plans to stop the conspirators.

Guy Fawkes, was in the cellar of the parliament with the 36 barrels of gunpowder when the authorities stormed it in the early hours of November 5th He was caught, tortured and executed for his treasonous activities. His name has famously been associated with the gunpowder plot ever since. On the very night that the Gunpowder Plot was foiled, on November 5th, 1605, bonfires were set alight to celebrate the safety of the King. Since then, November 5th has become known particularly as Bonfire Night and even Guy Fawkes night. The event is commemorated every year with fireworks and burning replicas of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire.

The evening of November the 5th has grown commercially over the years and fireworks displays where you pay on entry are very common. Children even partake in the making of guys to throw on huge bonfires. Many people also hold garden fireworks parties and shops sell fireworks for these events. You can even buy sparklers, which add to the fun of the evening and clearly help shops gain profit.