Bonfire Night which is also known as the Guy Fawkes Night is annually celebrated on 5th November in the United Kingdom. This day mark the failed 17th-century attempt to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James I.
The people of United Kingdom mark the occasion by lighting up their own bonfire, going to a fireworks show, or learning more about the Gunpowder Plot which played a major role in Britain's history.
However, Bonfire night's sectarian significance has generally been lost: it is now usually just a night of revelry with a bonfire and fireworks, although an effigy of Guy Fawkes is burned on the fire on this Day celebrations.
| Event | Bonfire Night |
|---|---|
| Date | November 5, 2022 |
| Day | Saturday |
| Significance | This day commemorates the failed 17th-century attempt to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James I. |
| Observed by | United Kingdom |
Bonfire Night History:
It all started in 1603, when Protestant James I became King of England. His predecessor Queen Elizabeth I had repressed Catholicism in England. Many Catholics hoped that James, being the son of the late Catholic Mary Queen of Scots, would be more sympathetic to their plight. He wasn't and continued to carry out persecutions against them. It was during this time that a Catholic man named Robert Catesby began plotting the king's demise. Catesby wanted to kill the king and his establishment, spark an uprising and restore a Catholic monarch to the English throne.
Then together with his cousin Thomas Wintour, Catesby began recruiting other Catholics to his cause and had soon mapped out the first part of their plan; by placing multiple barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords, they would blow up the king and his government on the opening day of parliament. To achieve this, they needed an explosives expert; amd there we get to see Guido Fawkes. After years of fighting on the side of Catholic Spain against Protestant Dutch reformers, Fawkes had returned to England and was now introduced to Catesby by Wintour.
Soon the conspirators which were numbered 13 started to work on their plan. They leased a vault underneath the House of Lords and under the cover of darkness brought in 36 barrels of gunpowder. On the night of November 4th, Fawkes was tasked with guarding the vault. During this time an anonymous letter was sent to Lord Monteagle, a Catholic loyal to the crown, with a warning to avoid the State Opening of Parliament stating, "they shall receive a terrible blow." Although it has never been proven who sent the letter, many believe it was conspirator Francis Tresham, the brother-in-law of Lord Monteagle.
The letter had soon reached the king who ordered an extensive search of the Houses of Parliament. It was just after midnight when Fawkes and the stockpile of gunpowder were discovered. The king ordered Fawkes be tortured at the Tower of London, to reveal the names of his co-conspirators. A confession was eventually extracted from him but by this time the other conspirators had already been arrested, except for four, including Catesby, who died in a gunfight with English troops.
After a show trial in January 1606, Fawkes and his remaining co-conspirators were found guilt of treason and sentenced to death. They were all publicly hung, drawn and quartered, although Fawkes managed to avoid the latter part of his execution by leaping to his death as he awaited the gallows and subsequently died of a broken neck. As news spread of the plot, Londoners began lighting bonfires in celebration of the fact James I was still alive and in 1606 the Observance of 5th November Act was passed, enforcing an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure amd the celebrations of this day started.
Bonfire Night Significance:
Bonfire night's sectarian significance has generally been lost: it is now usually just a night of revelry with a bonfire and fireworks, although an effigy of Guy Fawkes is burned on the fire. Celebrations are held throughout Great Britain; in some non-Catholic communities in Northern Ireland; and in some other parts of the Commonwealth. In many areas of the UK, celebrations also feature funfairs, family entertainment, and special food and drinks.
In Northern Ireland, the term "Bonfire Night" can refer to the Eleventh Night celebrations of 11 July. Like 5 November, this Bonfire Night also has its roots in the sectarian struggle between Protestants and Catholics. Unlike 5 November the sectarian significance of 11 July is still strong. It celebrates the Battle of the Boyne of 1690, in which the Protestant William of Orange defeated the Catholic James II.
In the city of Cork, and many rural parts of the Republic of Ireland "Bonfire Night" refers to 23 June, Saint John's Eve night. It has its origins in a religious celebration and originally featured prayers for bountiful crops. The night is linked to the summer solstice or Midsummer's Eve. Originally fires were lit to honour the goddess Áine as part of a Celtic celebration; the Catholic Church took over the pagan festival and linked it to the birth of St John.
As for the legend of Guy Fawkes, whilst he is incorrectly remembered as the ringmaster behind the plot, his reputation has shifted from traitor to revolutionary hero in some circles. This is largely thanks to the influence of the 1980s graphic novel V for Vendetta and the 2006 film of the same name, in which an anarchist freedom wearing a Guy Fawkes mask battles a neo-fascist regime in the UK. The mask has now become a popular symbol to use in protest against tyranny.
Fireworks in the night sky are beautiful to watch. But fireworks are dangerous and they can hurt people and damage things, so you should always be careful around them. Never light fireworks inside or near other people or buildings, and never hold lit fireworks in your hands. Also, keep your pets inside because they can be scared by the loud bangs. And because of this reason only this festival is also criticized so we must be careful about it during celebrations.
Bonfire Night Celebrations:
The celebrations have remained mostly the same for hundreds of years, although people nowadays don't go to church as part of the traditions for the day. Most towns and villages organise public displays where you can stand by huge bonfires and watch the fireworks as you eat a toffee apple or a hot snack.
These days, Bonfire Night is a fun tradition with a festive atmosphere, and people don't connect it to religion or politics. All over Britain there are firework displays and bonfires, with models of Guy Fawkes, which are burned on the fire. The guy is made of old clothes, and the clothes are filled with newspaper. The fireworks are a reminder of the gunpowder that Guy Fawkes hid in the Houses of Parliament.
A rhyme was written to commemorate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot. The 'Fifth of November' rhyme has continued to be passed on this day. More commonly, people know only the "Remember, remember the Fifth of November" line, however, the whole paragraph is this:
Remember, remember the Fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
There are many food items that are associated with Bonfire Night. Toffee apples, treacle toffee, black peas and parkin, and even the jacket potato, are traditionally eaten around Bonfire Night in parts of England. Also, some families eat soups to warm up on a cold night and toast marshmallows over the fire.
Overall this day gives a nice opportunity for the families especially to the children to have a fun time while celebrating this day. They gets to enjoy the nice and beautiful fireworks display which takes place during this day along with a delicious treat alongside a bonfire. Just you need to keep an eye to be careful regarding fireworks safety and you are absolutely free to celebrate.
Most Searched FAQs on Bonfire Night:
1. When is Bonfire Night celebrated?
Bonfire Night also known as Guy Fawkes Night is annually celebrated on 5th November in UK.
2. Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?
Guy Fawkes Day, also called Bonfire Night, British observance, celebrated on November 5, commemorating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The Gunpowder Plot conspirators, led by Robert Catesby, were zealous Roman Catholics enraged at King James I for refusing to grant greater religious tolerance to Catholics.
3. What do British people do on Bonfire Night?
These days, Bonfire Night is a fun tradition with a festive atmosphere, and people don't connect it to religion or politics. All over Britain there are firework displays and bonfires, with models of Guy Fawkes, which are burned on the fire. The guy is made of old clothes, and the clothes are filled with newspaper.