The Gunpowder Plot
Bonfire Night is celebrated to remember the day that Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the King James and his Parliament on 5th November 1605. Guy Fawkes was a Catholic soldier and, at that time, Catholics were forbidden to pray in their own churches. They were very angry with the King and so some plotted to get rid of him, hoping that a new King might be kinder to them. They rented a cellar underneath the Houses of Parliament and placed 36 barrels of gunpowder in it. They were going to blow them up when the King came to open the Houses of Parliament. Unfortunately for Guy Fawkes, someone discovered the plan and he was caught in the cellar, where he was waiting to light the fuse. He was later executed for treason (which means trying to harm the King or your country).
King James was very frightened by this plot to kill him, so he told his people that they should light a bonfire every 5 November, to remember this terrible plot.
Nowadays people light bonfires to burn a "guy" and they organise fireworks displays to celebrate BONFIRE NIGHT.
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
This information is from www.kidsfunfile.com
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