Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and
Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in
England.
Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when
Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding
explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the
fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit
bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of
5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's
failure.
Within a few decades Gunpowder Treason Day, as it was known, became the
predominant English state commemoration, but as it carried strong religious
overtones it also became a focus for anti-Catholic sentiment. Puritans
delivered sermons regarding the perceived dangers of popery, while during increasingly
raucous celebrations common folk burnt effigies of popular hate-figures, such
as the pope. Towards the end of the 18th century reports appear of children
begging for money with effigies of Guy Fawkes and 5 November gradually became
known as Guy Fawkes Day.
Towns such as Lewes and Guildford were in the 19th
century 
scenes of increasingly violent class-based confrontations,
fostering traditions those towns celebrate still, albeit peaceably. In the
1850s changing attitudes eventually resulted in the toning down of much of the
day's anti-Catholic rhetoric, and in 1859 the original 1606 legislation was
repealed. Eventually, the violence was dealt with, and by the 20th century Guy
Fawkes Day had become an enjoyable social commemoration, although lacking much
of its original focus. The present-day Guy Fawkes Night is usually celebrated
at large organised events, centred around a bonfire and extravagant firework
displays.
We got to go to our friends Christy's farm and we all had lots of fun.
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