Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
A Dark Chapter in English History
In 1605, England had a new king, James I. Some Catholics were unhappy with the new king's rules.
A man named Robert Catesby made a secret plan. He and his friends decided to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
They put 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellar under the Parliament building. Guy Fawkes was the guard.
But someone sent a secret letter to a lord, warning him not to go to Parliament on November 5th.
The king's soldiers searched the cellar. They found Guy Fawkes with the gunpowder, ready to light the fuse.
Guy Fawkes and the other plotters were arrested. Their dangerous plan had completely failed.
The King was safe! People in London were very happy and lit bonfires in the streets to celebrate.
To remember the plot, people started making models of Guy Fawkes. They made them from old clothes and straw.
Now, every November 5th, people burn these 'Guys' on bonfires and watch fireworks to remember the failed Gunpowder Plot.