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Guy Fawkes Night, also referred to as Bonfire Night is an evening full of spectacular fireworks that is celebrated on November 5th. It is a celebration that dates back in British history that commemorates the capture of Guy Fawkes who was caught plotting to overthrow the King by blowing up the Houses of Parliament.

After the death of Elizabeth I under whose reign Catholics were persucuted where they had to practise their religion in secret and were even fined if they didn't attend Protestant church, her successor James I gave the population some hope at being accepted as he had a Catholic mother. Much to their dismay, he was not very tolerant of them so thirteen men decided to take action.

Lead by Robert Catesby, they decided that the only solution was to blow up the Houses of Parliament in the hope that it would kill the king alongside the members of Parliament who too were making lives of Catholics very difficult. In preparation they stored 36 barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords. Their plot, later known as the 'Great Gunpowder Plot', came to a abrupt halt when they were caught, but there are several theories as to how they were caught.

One version is that some members of the group started having doubts about the plot after realising that innocent lives will also be lost, amongst whom are likely be supporters of the Catholic religion. In panic, it is thought that an anonymous letter was sent to Lord Monteagle warning him to avoid being in Parliament on November 5th. This letter fell into the hands of the king who then took action to stop the plans.

Another version suggests that the content of the letter was fabricated and actually they were caught as a result of a governmental sting operation agains Catholics.

Guy Fawkes was given the responsibility of lighting the fuse and consequently on November 5th 1605 Guy Fawkes was caught with the 36 barrels of gunpowder and was tortured. At first he refused to speak but eventually succumbed and revealed details of the plot and who was involved. He was then executed and has since been labelled as one of Britain's notorious traitor's. As news spread of the plot being foiled and at the kings orders, people started lighting bonfires to celebrate the safety of the king. Since then, November 5th has been celebrated through fireworks made of gunpowder and bonfires with burning effigies of Guy Fawkes. Historically in the days leading to Bonfire Night, children used to use the effigies and ask for 'a penny for a Guy' for fireworks. The fireworks and bonfires are also often accompanied by toasting marshmallows and heating of soups and potato dishes on the bonfire.

Whilst the sentiment of Bonfire Night is traditionally to celebrate the king's safety and the execution of Guy Fawkes, some believe that it is a celebration of an attempt to overthrow the monarchy and government. Whether the Gunpowder Plot would have been successful has always been under scrutiny but we will never know.

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