By Mr Bruce Mackie
Guy Fawkes Night is a very English celebration. It celebrates a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament (that’s where Big Ben is), in London. This was probably one of the first examples of terrorism - only it didn’t work!
It all happened on November the fifth, 1605. A group of Catholics who were unhappy with their Protestant rulers wanted to bring the government down. Their leader was a man called Robert Catesby, and his plan was called the Gunpowder Plot. However it was Guy Fawkes who was the explosives expert, and he had been left in a cellar below the Houses of parliament to light the fuse to the barrels of gunpowder. He was only caught when a group of guards decided to check the cellars at the last moment. Guy Fawkes was arrested. He was put on a bonfire and burned to death. In Britain and some former British colonies, this day is also called Bonfire Night.
It all happened on November the fifth, 1605. A group of Catholics who were unhappy with their Protestant rulers wanted to bring the government down. Their leader was a man called Robert Catesby, and his plan was called the Gunpowder Plot. However it was Guy Fawkes who was the explosives expert, and he had been left in a cellar below the Houses of parliament to light the fuse to the barrels of gunpowder. He was only caught when a group of guards decided to check the cellars at the last moment. Guy Fawkes was arrested. He was put on a bonfire and burned to death. In Britain and some former British colonies, this day is also called Bonfire Night.
Bonfire Night is perhaps the biggest outdoor celebration in Britain. It is in winter and takes place at night. You have to brave the cold, but it is a happy occasion. Every town and village puts on a fireworks display. There is usually a large bonfire in the middle of the town. People gather at it to watch the fireworks and eat traditional Guy Fawkes Night food. Baked potatoes and toffee apples are the most popular treats. There is usually a ‘mock Guy’ on the bonfire to represent the real one that died 400 years ago. Many families have smaller celebrations and will have their own, private fireworks display in their garden (in England, fireworks can only be bought about a week before Guy Fawkes Day.) There are many warnings to be careful because every year, because people are injured in fireworks accidents, and they are very frightening for animals.
There is even a poem about Guy Fawkes Day. Here is the first stanza:
Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
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