BONFIRE NIGHT

 

 

 In November 1605 a group of men decided to make a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. The men were angry about the way the Catholic people were being treated in England. At this time the King of England was James the first. The plot is known as the ‘Gunpowder Plot’ and the leader of the plot was called Guy Fawkes. The men put 36 barrels of gunpowder in the Houses of Parliament and they waited for the King to open Parliament. Guy Fawkes was the man who was going to light the gunpowder and cause the explosion. However, police found the gunpowder before it could be exploded and they caught all the men involved in the plot. The men were tortured and killed.

 On November 5th British people remember the spectacular attempt t o blow up the Houses of Parliament by celebrating ‘Bonfire Night’. All over Britain there are firework displays and bonfires with models of Guy Fawkes which are burned on the fire. It’s normally quite cold on Bonfire Night so people wear warm clothes, hats , scarves and gloves to spend the evening outside. Traditional Bonfire Night food is jacket potatoes and toffee apples.

 

 

 DISCUSS THESE QUESTIONS WITH YOUR CLASSMATES:

• Which festivals in your country remember historical events?

• Do you have any festivals that are similar to Bonfire Night in your country?

• When do you have firework displays in your country?

• Do you think you like Bonfire Night? Why / why not?

• Do you think festivals area good way to remember historical events?