Guy Fawkes Day: Celebrating in England
Today is Guy Fawkes Day; November 5 of every year is set to commemorate this man.
It marks the anniversary that Guy Fawkes and several other conspirators plotted to blow up the English Parliament and King James back in 1605. This plan was named the “Gunpowder Plot.” The reason they wanted to blow up the government was because they were Roman Catholics and wanted to replace the king, who was a Protestant. There were many penal laws against practicing Catholicism in England at this time.
The conspirators planned this terrorist attack about a year in advance. Fawkes and the others slashed open 36 barrels (almost two tons) of gunpowder on the cellar below the House of Lords on November 4. However, on this night, the basement was inspected and they were caught. Fawkes was arrested and tortured, and the other conspirators were killed or captured. Fawkes was then executed on January 31. Instead of recognizing more rights for Roman Catholics, this act became infamous and they became even more persecuted.
Today in England, people celebrate Guy Fawkes Day with fireworks and bonfires. It used to be celebrated in Australia and New Zealand, and some small communities in Canada still celebrate it. November 5 is sometimes called Bonfire Night, Cracker Night or Fireworks Night. There are traditional foods eaten around England during this holiday, such as toffee apples, baked potatoes, black peas with vinegar, bonfire toffee and parkin. Sometimes kids will make a dummy of Guy Fawkes and storm around on the streets. This dummy is often thrown in fires later on in the night.
The night is celebrated for different reasons. Some consider it a triumph that Fawkes was captured, as his success would have brought chaos. Others interpret it as a commemoration for a revolutionary plot against oppressive powers. Whatever the reason, everyone likes to burn and blow up things throughout the night.
Fawkes’ legacy lives on in other ways. In 2002, he was ranked 30th in the list of 100 Greatest Britons, which the BBC promoted and the public voted for. Fawkes was also listed as one of the 50 greatest people hailing from Yorkshire, England. In New South Wales, Australia, there is a Guy Fawkes River and Guy Fawkes River National Park.
Click here for a guide to Bonfire Night 2009 Activities in York and North Yorkshire.