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Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?
1 Nov 2022
 

1. Bonfire Night is also known as Fireworks Night and Guy Fawkes Night!

Bonfire Night has lots of different names.

It is also called Fireworks Night and Guy Fawkes Night!

What do you call it?!

 

2. It is celebrated on 5th November because of the Gunpowder Plot.

Bonfire Night is celebrated in the United Kingdom on 5th November.

This is because in the early hours of 5th November 1605, Guy Fawkes was caught in his tracks. He was found beneath the Houses of Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder, ‘three matches, and all other instruments fit for blowing up the powder, ready upon him’.

The game was up and Guy Fawkes was arrested and taken to the Tower of London to be imprisoned and interrogated.

3. There were 13 people involved in the Gunpowder Plot.

It wasn’t just Guy Fawkes who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot.

The reason he is mentioned so much is because he is the one who got caught.

However, there were others behind it all.

They were Thomas and Robert Winter, Thomas Percy, John and Christopher Wright, Robert Catesby, Francis Tresham, Robert Keyes, John Grant, Thomas Bates, Ambrose Rookwood and Sir Everard Digby.

 

4. The Houses of Parliament are still searched today!

Did you know that the Houses of Parliament are still searched today?

It usually happens every year, just before the State Opening of Parliament.

The search is done by the Yeoman of the Guard.

5.  An anonymous letter was sent to warn of the Gunpowder Plot!

An anonymous letter was sent to Lord Monteagle about the Gunpowder Plot.

They warned him not to attend parliament that day and to stay safe.

 

 

6. King James I said we should celebrate on 5th November.

The reason for the Gunpowder Plot was to kill King James I.

It was organised by a man called Robert Catesby.

He didn’t like that King James I was a Protestant.

Robert wanted Catholics to rule in England.

Luckily, King James I was safe and made sure that we all celebrated on 5th November.

 

7. During the war, no one was allowed to set off fireworks or light bonfires.

During the wars, no one was allowed to set off fireworks on light bonfires.

This is because it would show the enemies where they were!

However, as it was still illegal not to celebrate, people had to celebrate indoors.

 

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