Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night is also known as Fireworks Night or Guy Fawkes Night. It's a British tradition dating back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Catholic conspiritor Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and King James I.

Fireworks Displays in London

Firework festivities take place throughout London's boroughs. It's great fun to wrap up warm and head out to enjoy spectacular fireworks, massive bonfires, yummy refreshments and lively entertainment. Many of London's large parks have communal firework displays that are open to the general public.

Details of Bonfire Night 2009 - Fireworks Displays in London

The Gunpowder Plot 1605

The Roman Catholic conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot wanted to restore civil rights to members of their religion. 

The plot was set for the State Opening of Parliament in 1605 as all the members of the House of Commons and Lords, as well as the King, would be present at that time. They hid gunpowder in a vault beneath the House of Lords, preparing to blow up Parliament, and everyone inside. 

The plot was foiled when an anonymous letter was sent to the Catholic Lord Monteagle warning him not to attend the opening. This raised suspicions and a search party was dispatched. They found Guy Fawkes preparing to light the fuse on 5 November. 

He was arrested and tortured until he named his fellow plotters. Fawkes was eventually sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. 

Bonfire Night - Then and Now

To this day, it is customary for the cellars in the Houses of Parliament to be searched by the Yeoman of the Guard before each State Opening of Parliament. 

The anniversary of Fawkes' arrest is celebrated each year with fireworks and bonfires. Sometimes, effigies of Guy Fawkes ("the guy") are burned on top of the bonfires.