Bonfire Night
Rebecca Noel
History
Guy Fawkes was a Catholic living in Protestant England. He and a group of other Catholics wanted to assassinate King James I and replace him with his daughter, Princess Elizabeth, who was a Catholic. This group came up with a plan to blow up Parliament on 5th November, 1605. Their plan was to roll 36 barrels full of gunpowder to a rented room underneath Parliament, light it on fire, and blow up the Parliament building killing everyone inside. Part of the group was caught, and they were tortured until they told the names of the others. Their executions were gruesome and excruciating.
Guy Fawkes
The man most accredited with the plan to blow up Parliament.
A parade on the night of the fifth to remember the unsuccessful plot.
An effigy
Effigies of Fawkes are often burned on bonfire night..
Bonfire night is held on 5 November. It is mainly celebrated in England, Scotland, Ulster, and Wales to remember the night Guy Fawkes and his group of conspirators attempted to blow up the Parliament building. Huge bonfires are usually community led events and last late into the night. Parades walk the streets and fireworks are shot off.
Similar celebrations in Ireland, Scandinavia, and Australia take place on different dates. In parts of Ireland, it is called St. John's Eve and is celebrated on the 23 of June. In Scandinavia, it is called Walpurgis Night and is celebrated 30 April or 1 May. In Australia, it is the second Monday, when they celebrate the Queen's birthday.
It's not a real celebration without food! People often feast on easy to make, rich finger foods, like small cakes and sausages. They have soups and warm drinks. Toffee apples are also a common item found on Bonfire night.