In 1605, 13 young English Catholic men led by Robert Catesby plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in order to kill King James I and overthrow the Protestant government. The plot, known as the Gunpowder Plot, was exposed after one of the conspirators sent an anonymous letter warning his friend to stay away from Parliament on November 5th. Ever since, people in Britain have commemorated Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night on November 5th with bonfires and fireworks to celebrate being saved from the failed Gunpowder Plot.