Many of you might have celebrated Guy Fawkes Night on November the 5th. It is also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Plot Night and Bonfire Night. But who was Guy Fawkes and why is November the 5th celebrated with Bonfires and fireworks?
Born Guy Fawkes on 13th April 1570 inYork,England, he was also known as Guido Fawkes. He was a Protestant who then turned to Catholicism after the death of his father. He was a soldier in the Eighty Years’ War inSpain and had a good understanding of war and military tactics.
He was one of thirteen conspirators who planned to kill King James I to return Catholicism to the throne. The plan was to blow up the palace atWestminsterduring the state opening of Parliament from underneath, where he and his friends had hidden a large amount of gunpowder. The plot failed. He was one of eight who were caught and tortured for their crimes in 1605. Soon after people were encouraged to celebrate the King’s escape from assassination by lighting bonfires.