In the United Kingdom, there’s a famous saying: “Remember, remember the fifth of November.” This phrase reminds us of something important that happened more than 400 years ago. Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, is a special celebration with big fires, colorful lights in the sky, and burning pretend people. Let’s learn about Guy Fawkes and why this British party happens.
Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
Guy Fawkes was born in 1570 and played a big part in the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. This plan was a secret to hurt King James I and destroy the Parliament buildings in London. The people who made this plan, led by Robert Catesby, were not happy with how Catholics were treated in England. They wanted to make Catholicism the main religion again. Guy Fawkes, who was a trained soldier, had to look after barrels of gunpowder hidden under the Parliament building.
Foiled by a Hidden Message
The plan failed because someone sent a hidden message to the police about the secret plan. On the night of November 5th, Guy Fawkes was found in the cellars of the Parliament building with the gunpowder, ready to light it. He got caught, and the plan fell apart. People remember this event every year on the fifth of November with big fires and colorful lights.
Bonfires and Pretend People
Guy Fawkes Night is a time for fires where people burn pretend people made from old clothes and straw. These pretend people are also called “Guys.” Children often make their own Guys and show them on the streets in the weeks before the event. This tradition of burning the Guys is a way to show punishment for betraying the country.
Celebrations Today
Today, Guy Fawkes Night is a fun and family-friendly event. People come together in special places to watch colorful lights in the sky and enjoy treats like apples covered in sugary syrup, special toffee, and hot drinks. Children often ask for money to buy fireworks or sweets in a tradition called “Penny for the Guy.”
Conclusion
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, is an important part of British culture. It reminds us of a secret plan that was stopped to hurt the government and has become a happy event with fires, colorful lights, and delicious treats. So, on the fifth of November, when you see the night sky light up with colorful lights, remember the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, an important moment in British history.
Vocabulary List
- bonfire (noun): A large outdoor fire, often part of a celebration.
- foiled (verb): To stop something from happening or succeeding.
- pretend (adjective): Not real, imaginary.
- gunpowder (noun): A powder used in explosives, such as fireworks and weapons.
- parliament (noun): The place where laws are made and discussed by the government.
- penny (noun): A small British coin. There are 100 pennies in 1 pound (£1).