Guy Fawkes Night

Date

November 5

History

Guy Fawkes Night is also known as Guy Fawkes Day and Bonfirea large, controlled outdoor fire, as a signal or to celebrate something Night. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605: Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plota failed assassination attempt against King James I of England and VI of Scotland by a group of provincial English Catholics, was caught guarding explosives placed beneath the House of Lords and was then arrested. People celebrated the fact that King James I had survived the attemptattack on his life. They lit bonfires around London. Months later, the Observance of 5th November Act was introduced. It enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plota plan to commit a crime's failurethe condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective.

Traditional observance

Celebrations used to include bonfires and explosives. At some point in the 18th century and for reasons that are unclear, it became customary to burn Guy Fawkes in effigya dummy or other crude representation of a person. Today, celebrations usually involve public fireworks displays. Generally, celebrations are run by local charities and other organisations, with paid admission and controlled access.