Are you keen on history?

Every year on the 5th of November, lots of people celebrate the Bonfire Night (or Guy Fawkes Night) by watching fireworks, going to the bonfire displays and enjoying delicious traditional food.

What is it all about?

Here is a bit of British history for you…

In 1605, there was a failed plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament, led by a man called Guy Fawkes. He and his conspirators wanted to return England from Protestant to the Catholic faith. They reckoned they could do this by killing the King James I and his ministers, but they failed. They were charged with treason. This was called the Gunpowder Plot and now on November the Fifth, bonfires are lit across the UK to burn the ‘guy’- a kind of dummy that represents Guy Fawkes and fireworks are set off representing the gunpowder that was going to be used.

a conspirator– someone who secretly plans with other people to do something bad or illegal

treason– the crime of doing something that harmsyour country or government, especiallyby helping its enemies

a plot– a plan to do something bad

a bonfire – large fire outside, often used for burning waste

A Poem about Guy Fawkes: