Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Guy Fawkes Day 2017: 3 Fast Facts

Guy Fawkes Day 2017: 3 Fast Facts

"Remember, remember! The fifth of November, the Gunpowder treason and plot!" The fifth of November is Guy Fawkes Day - also known as Guy Fawkes Night, Bonfire Night, and Firework Night - which marks the anniversary of when palace guards foiled a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London in 1605. On this night every year, people light bonfires and set off fireworks in reenactment of the failed Gunpowder Plot that never came to pass

Here are 3 Fast Facts about Guy Fawkes Day:


1. Catholic Conspirators Vs. the English Crown

The conflict fueling the Gunpowder Plot was rooted in the political and religious persecution of Roman Catholics under Queen Elizabeth's 45-year rule from 1558 to 1603. During her reign, Catholics could not celebrate Mass or perform their marriage rites, and numerous priests were executed. When James I became King of England, English Catholics hoped the persecution would end, and that they would gain the freedom to practice their religion.

Unfortunately, King James demonstrated a lack religious tolerance toward Catholics. He condemned the religion as a superstition, extended Queen Elizabeth's fines, and deported Catholic priests out of the country.


2. The Gunpowder Plot - Failed Assassination Attempt

A gang of 13 Roman Catholic activists and conspirators, led by Warwickshire-born Robert Catesby, plotted to use explosives to assassinate King James and many Parliament members during the opening of Parliament on November 5, 1605.

But then an anonymous letter warning a Catholic sympathizer to avoid the event supposedly tipped authorities to the existence of the plot. On the eve of the opening, some say around midnight, co-conspirator Guy Fawkes was caught lurking in a cellar below the House of Lords, while guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder.

The conspirators were soon captured, tortured, and executed - except for Guy Fawkes. After he was tortured in the Tower of London, and he confessed the names of his co-conspirators, Fawkes leapt to his death at the gallows to avoid watching the horrors of his testicles cut off and his stomach slit open.

While history claims that the 36 barrels of gunpowder would have sufficiently razed the Houses of Parliament to the ground, experts today suggest the gunpowder had decayed and would not have even exploded.


3. Celebrating Thanks and Failure

Shortly after the averted chaos and destruction, Parliament declared November 5 a public day of thanksgiving. Today the people of Great Britain commemorate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot by lighting bonfires and fireworks, which represent the explosives that were never ignited. Straw dummies representing Fawkes are tossed on the bonfire, as well as those of contemporary political figures.

But until about 60 years ago, the celebrations were compulsory. Before 1959, it was illegal to not celebrate Guy Fawkes Day.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

H/T: History.com, Time and Date, The Telegraph,

More from News

Carrie Coon
HBO

'White Lotus' Star Carrie Coon Reveals Why Scene With Her Character's Nonbinary Child Was Cut

The third season of HBO's The White Lotus hasn't shied away from depicting our dark moment in American politics, but there was one story element that proved a bridge too far, it seems.

In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, actor Carrie Coon said her character Laurie was supposed to have a nonbinary child with they/them pronouns. But the brief scene between her and her child was cut following Trump's election.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vivian Wilson; Elon Musk
@vivllainous/Instagram, Scott Olson/Getty Images

Vivian Wilson Claims Elon Musk's Former Liberal Views Were Just A 'Marketing Scheme'

Elon Musk's estranged trans daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson set the record straight about the tech billionaire's supposed liberal beginnings, alleging that his persona was merely a ruse and part of a “marketing scheme.”

Wilson, who legally changed her name and identity in 2022 when she was 18, interviewed with YouTuber and Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who asked her what the "transition was like for your dad to go from a liberal darling…"

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Slammed After Saying He's 'Not Joking' About Running For A Third Term

Republican President Donald Trump was ridiculed for insisting he was "not joking" about running for a third presidential term, which would violate the Constitution under the 22nd Amendment, stating a President cannot be elected beyond a second term.

In an NBC interview Sunday morning, Trump maintained his allies were pushing for a third term for the Trump administration.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Donald Trump
Fox News

Trump Ripped For Bonkers Answer After Being Asked To Define What A 'Woman' Is

President Donald Trump was called out after he was asked by a conservative reporter at the end of Women's History Month to give his definition of a "woman"—only to show that he doesn't even know his own talking points let alone those of the wider GOP.

This past Friday, Trump attended the swearing-in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, where he also took questions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Karoline Leavitt
C-SPAN2

Karoline Leavitt Gives Mind-Boggling Update On Signal Group Chat Scandal—And Critics Are Furious

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was called out after she dismissed reporters' questions amid revelations that Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was invited into a Signal chat with high-level Trump administration officials, particularly Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, discussing military strategy surrounding war strikes in Yemen.

Lawmakers from both parties have increased their calls demanding an investigation into the Signal scandal. The latest push came from Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee, who on Monday sent a letter to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard calling for an independent probe.

Keep ReadingShow less