Firework displays are taking place all over the country this week.
Each year cities mark the historic moment Guy Fawkes and others attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
The day is marked on or around November 5 each year, and is now more commonly called Bonfire Night.
We remember the day by saying: “Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot. We see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.”
Bonfires are lit across the country, and the skies are filled with colourful fireworks.
It’s also a time for food, drink, music and fanfares – but it’s all for a very solemn reason.
Here we take a closer look at who Guy Fawkes was, and what the Gunpowder Plot entailed.
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What was the Gunpowder plot?
The Gunpowder Plot was an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.
The plan was hatched by a gang of Roman Catholic activists, led by Robert Catesby.
The other plotters in the crew were Guy Fawkes, Thomas Bates, Robert and Thomas Winter, Thomas Percy, Christopher and John Wright, Francis Tresham, Everard Digby, Ambrose Rookwood, Robert Keyes, Hugh Owen and John Grant.
The revolutionaries were furious at the persecution of their faith in England.
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Who was Guy Fawkes?
Guy “Guido” Fawkes, was born in Stonegate, York in April 1570.
When he was 21 years old he left the country to join the Catholic Spanish army, and fought in the Eight Years War.
There he became known for his technical expertise, and was recruited into the Gunpowder conspiracy in 1604.
Fawkes had the responsibility of setting and lighting the fuse of gunpowder because of his knowledge of explosives.
But he was caught red-handed by the King’s men under the palace.
He was tortured until he game the names of his co-conspirators.
Fawkes was set for execution in January 1606, but managed to escape by jumping from the gallows.
However, he broke his neck from the fall, and his corpse was quartered and sent to “the four corner of the kingdom”.
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