Bonfire Night has a very long tradition involving plots and treason.

Today it is celebrated with elaborate fireworks and bonfires across the country.

In depth

Remember, remember the fifth of November.
Gunpowder, treason, and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

On 5th November 1605 Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London. Guy Fawkes disagreed with the then king of England, King James I and plotted with a group of men to fill a cellar under the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder to blow it up. This was later to become known as the Gunpowder Plot. The plan was foiled and Guy Fawkes was captured and sent to the Tower of London. He was later executed.

Traditions

Since that day the 5th November had been remembered as Guy Fawkes Night. Effigies (dummies representing people) of Guy Fawkes were made with shirts and trousers stuffed with hay or paper. A mask was sometimes used for its face. Children would take their guy out on the streets and ask for a 'penny for the guy' to pay for fireworks. At night the guys were placed on the top of bonfires.

Nowadays the 5th November is known as Bonfire Night. On this night throughout the country there are many firework displays. Fireworks of many colours and shapes light up the night sky.

Fireworks

Pyrotechnics is the science used in creating fireworks. The science dates back thousands of years to ancient China. Fireworks are made using gunpowder, the same powder Guy Fawkes tried to use four hundred years ago to blow up Parliament.

There are many types of fireworks. Rockets are fireworks that shoot up into the sky and explode into colourful shapes. Catherine Wheels are fireworks that spin around like a wheel, and are very bright and noisy. The name comes from a form of punishment that was used against St Catherine in the Middle Ages. Sparklers are metal sticks which can be held at one end. When lit it sparkles and hisses.

Fireworks are beautiful and can be a lot of fun. But they must be handled with care, as they can be dangerous. Children must always be accompanied by an adult around fireworks, and the Fireworks Code must be followed at all times.

BBC Schools. (n.d.). Bonfire Night – 5th November. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/events/bonfire_night/