Guy Fawkes Night commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes and other English Catholics plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in protest of the oppression of Catholics under King James I. They dug a tunnel and stored barrels of gunpowder beneath Parliament but were caught when an anonymous letter tipped off authorities. To this day, the British celebrate by lighting bonfires, setting off fireworks, and burning Guy Fawkes in effigy on November 5th.

2. Guy Fawkes Night
• Often referred to as bonfire night or fireworks
night, Guy Fawkes night is a popular celebration
in the UK.
• Its history begins with the events of the 5th of
November 1605 when Guy Fawkes, was arrested
while guarding explosives beneath the houses of
parliament.

3. The Gunpowder plot
• The Gunpowder Plot was a failed assassination
attempt against King James I by a group of
English Catholics.
• The plan was to blow up the House of Lords
during the State opening of England´s parliament.

4. Why did they do it?
• They devised a plan to blow up the Houses of
Parliament to protest poor treatment and
oppression of Catholics under the reign of King
James I.
• The Protestant religion dominated Great Britain in
1603, when King James I became king. Unlike
the majority of Catholics who were loyal to the
Crown, they hope to overthrow the Protestant
monarchy.

5. How did they do it?
• Thomas Percy secured a position as a royal
bodyguard and purchased a house near the
houses of parliament
• They dug a tunnel as far as the main
foundations of the House of Lords and
transported barrels of gunpowder.

6. Where they successful?
• No..
• Lord Monteagle, receives an unsigned letter
warning him not to attend the opening of
Parliament on 5 November.
• King James I is shown the letter and orders an
investigation.
• The king's men searched
parliament's vaults and caught
Guy Fawkes and later the rest of
the plotters.

7. Celebrations