MAIN Home Life Holidays & Observances Guy Fawkes Day

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

November 5, 2007 marks the 402nd anniversary of that fateful day in 1605 when Guy Fawkes and 12 conspirators planned to blow Parliament to smithereens — and were stopped in their tracks when Fawkes himself was caught with 36 barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords.

Ever since, bonfires have lit the night skies across the U.K. every year on November 5th to mark the failed Gunpowder Plot. Major celebrations take place in the UK from the last days of October through the first week of November with fireworks taking the place of the traditional bonfires in many towns.

Burning effigies of "the Guy" on Bonfire Night (or Fireworks Night... or Plot Night depending on local traditions) has also became a popular pass time, most notably in Lewes, boasting the biggest Bonfire Night party in the UK together with spectacular fireworks displays and festive foods prepared in celebration.

In Australia, the unofficial holiday also goes by the name "cracker night." While it is no longer common to find young boys dressed in ragged clothes begging, "A penny for the guy...," to finance a purchase of sweets or fireworks to celebrate the occasion, many dads and grandfathers still miss the festivities.

One Australian folklorist has a few interesting thoughts on why the holiday survived there until recently.

"Certainly not because we were instructed to or because Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up the British House of Lords in 1605 had any continuing meaning. (Although I must admit that one of my favourite graffiti is ‘Vote 1 Guy Fawkes - the only man to enter Parliament with honest intentions.’) Perhaps the long-standing attraction of bonfires and fire crackers is sufficient explanation." (Aspects of Australian Folklife)

The tradition is still active in New Zealand, South Africa, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in northern Canada and in many communities around the world where the bonfires, fireworks and fun have been carried by émigrés or nationals living abroad.

Elsewhere on the Web, find out more about Guy Fawkes and the tremendously popular, infamous Papist Plot, along with special bonfire & fireworks displays, party ideas, recipes and general fun & frivolity planned in commemoration of Guy Fawkes Day...

Guy Fawkes & Bonfire Night - Entertaining online exhibit with facts and history, current Guy Fawkes Day celebrations in the UK and around the world, traditional rhymes and chants, recipes, e-cards, related links and an online shop.

Gunpowder Plot / Guy Fawkes Day Epicenter - An extensive educational resource with lesson plans, ideas for activities and field trips, background history, fashion and culture of 17th century Britain, recipes, coloring pages and more to learn about and celebrate the date.

Gunpowder Plot Society - Everything you always wanted to know, including deep background with downloadable texts of writs and documents pertaining to the Guy Fawkes plot, bio's on the major and minor players, links to associated places, history timeline.

Bonfire Night Recipes - With complete instructions for cold night comfort foods including hot spiced cider, mulled wine, soups, nibbles, and sweet treats to savor whilst the fireworks entertain you.

Bonfire Night- how will you celebrate? - Online guide from Confetti party supplies with tips on organizing fireworks displays, safety tips, music lists, party food & drink ideas, with more advice in the discussion forum.

Animated Guy Fawkes Day E-Cards - Nice selection of sendable greetings including animated fireworks, bonfires, rockets.

Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night Fireworks

also see -> 1,000 Years of Beer & Pubs | Britain's Maritime History

also see in Travel -> London Tourism | England | Scotland