School Radio - Subjects. GCSE Bitesize - French. CBBC Newsround - Home. Activities. CBBC Newsround - What is Bonfire Night? Image copyright Getty Images This weekend, people all over the UK will be lighting bonfires and enjoying fireworks. This is to celebrate Bonfire Night.
While it might just seem like a great opportunity to have some fun with friends and family, there is actually a historical reason why we do this. So where did it all come from? What is Bonfire Night? On 5 November, people across the UK celebrate Bonfire Night with fireworks, bonfires, sparklers and toffee apples. Some might have small fireworks parties in their back gardens, while towns and villages may put on organised displays in public parks. The reason we do it is because it's the anniversary of an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. This was called the Gunpowder Plot. When we light bonfires to remember this event, traditionally there will be a dummy man on the top of them.
What was the Gunpowder Plot? Guy (Guido) Fawkes was part of the Gunpowder plot in 1605. This was because of religion. BBC World Service | Learning English | Watch and Listen - Pronunciation Tips. Learning English - Grammar, Vocabulary & Pronunciation.