On November 5, 1605, a man named Guy Fawkes was arrested in London. His crime? He was about to set off explosives in the Houses of Parliament in an attempt to kill King James I and the Protestant aristocracy. The incident quickly became known as the Gunpowder Plot.
Guy Fawkes Day
Bizarrely, the English decided to commemorate the day Guy Fawkes was caught with a generous quantity of gunpowder.
To this day, Brits celebrate the anniversary of the attempted assassination on what is now known as Guy Fawkes Day. There’s even a famous rhyme with the line “remember, remember the 5th of November”.
Bonfires and fireworks erupt throughout the UK on and around November 5th each year. From public displays to private celebrations, Guy Fawkes Day is a big event.
This is particularly true in places like Lewes, which has the largest and most famous Bonfire Night event in the UK.
Guy Fawkes Day in London
Last Wednesday was the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, and as such there were bonfires and fireworks all over London throughout the week.
The steady popping sound of fireworks serenaded me every night from the Saturday before Bonfire Night all the way through the Sunday after.
One night I decided to see what all the excitement was about. I went with a friend to a Guy Fawkes Day fireworks display, ready to be awed.
We arrived early, but the area was already packed with spectators. Finding ourselves a spot for viewing, we waited in the freezing cold until the show started.
Unfortunately, the show began late and only lasted a few minutes. It was a bit disappointing, and probably used even less gunpowder than Guy Fawkes stockpiled for his assassination attempt.
But it was still fun to see fireworks, especially after hearing them all night throughout the week. It was also exciting to get involved in a British tradition and experience Guy Fawkes Day firsthand.
Now that I know what it’s all about, I might even get my act together early next year and go to one of the big Bonfire Night fireworks shows for a true experience. If I can remember, remember the 5th of November, that is.
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