Bonfire Night is celebrated in the UK on November 5th to commemorate Guy Fawkes' failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I. Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators were Catholic extremists who wanted to overthrow the Protestant government. Their plot was foiled when guards discovered barrels of gunpowder in the cellars before the king arrived. Today, Bonfire Night celebrations involve burning effigies of Guy Fawkes, lighting bonfires and fireworks, and eating traditional foods like potatoes, soup, and parkin cake.

1. Guy Fawkes & Bonfire Night

2. Bonfire Night Bonfire Night is celebrated across the UK on 5 November. The date marks the failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament by Guy Fawkes along with a group of co-conspirators in London in 1605.

3. THE PLOT The intention was to kill King James I and wipe out everyone in government. The group were Catholic extremists who wanted to return England to the Catholic faith.

4. THE GUNPOWDER PLOT Guy Fawkes and friends formulated a plan, known as the 'Gunpowder Plot‘. They rolled 36 barrels of gunpowder into the cellars of the Houses of Parliament, and were waiting for the king to arrive when guards broke in and arrested them. They were tortured and executed.

5. Bonfire Night celebrations Nowadays on Bonfire Night people organise parties or attend big organised fireworks displays. They stand around the bonfire and set off fireworks.

6. Throughout England, towns and villages burn THE GUY (an effigy made out of old clothes stuffed with paper or straw). The Guy is a reminder of Guy Fawkes. They sing: Remember, remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot, We see no reason, Why gunpowder treason, Should ever be forgot!

7. Bonfire Night Food The bonfires are also used to cook potatoes wrapped in foil and to heat up soup. The traditional cake eaten on bonfire night is Parkin Cake. Other foods include sausages and marshmallows toasted in the fire.

8. “ A penny for the Guy” During the days before Bonfire Night, children used to take their home-made guys out on the street and ask for "a penny for the Guy" for fireworks. Children, in some areas, blacken their faces as Guy Fawkes when he plotted to blow up parliament.

9. Famous Bonfire Night celebrations In Ottery St Mary (Devon), teams of strong men carry flaming tar barrels on their shoulders down the length of the town’s High Street. In Lewis (East Sussex), Bonfire Boys parade through the streets in costume with torches.

10. Links Bonfirenight.net Wikipedia Funsocialstudies Activityvillage Ictacchiventuri Guy Fawkes.com Parliament.UK Fireworks night

11. ACTIVITIES Isabel Pérez Isabel Pérez Audiolingua.eu listening Kiko4u listening comprehension Guy Fawkes ’ vocabulary Safe Firework game Bonfire Night quiz Gunpowder Plot quickquiz Gunpowder Plot wordsearch