BONFIRE night will soon be upon us – with all the delights of toasted marshmallows, fireworks and of course a big blazing bonfire. But why do we celebrate bonfire night and what do the fireworks and all the trimmings represent? Read on to find out everything we know. Why do we celebrate bonfire night? Bonfire […]
BONFIRE night will soon be upon us – with all the delights of toasted marshmallows, fireworks and of course a big blazing bonfire.
But why do we celebrate bonfire night and what do the fireworks and all the trimmings represent? Read on to find out everything we know.
Bonfire Night is celebrated in the UK by lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks, its traditional for families and friends to head out and catch their local fireworks display or host a bonfire.
It is also known as Guy Fawkes Night – or Fireworks Night – and celebrates a foiled plot in 1605 to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.
Guy “Guido” Fawkes, 35, was the trigger man drafted in to set the fuse for the explosives in what was known as the “Gunpowder Plot.”
When the bonfire is lit on November 5, there will often be a dummy inside known as the Guy – this represents Guy Fawkes.
Fawkes, a convert to Catholicism, and his cronies wanted to blow up King James and the British government and make Britain – a protestant country – Catholic again.
However, he was caught red handed trying to explode the 36 barrels of gunpowder in the Houses of Parliament – and arrested on November 5.
People first started lighting bonfires as a celebration that the king hadn’t been killed, and the tradition has persisted to this day.
Fireworks are also set off throughout the country – representing the 36 barrels of gunpowder that were never used.
Traditionally, the yeoman of the guard will still search the cellars of the Houses of Parliament before the state opening in November.
However, it is a ceremonial gesture rather than an actual terrorist hunt, even using old lanterns.
Funnily enough, and despite being the most famous member of the group, Guy Fawkes didn’t actually lead the plot – just got caught red handed.
The ringleader of the plot was Robert Catesby.
