Learn about Guy Fawkes Day in the United Kingdom
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| Hi everyone, I'm Gina. |
| Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. If you live in the UK, you will know that rhyme and what it means. If you don't, then you soon will! It refers to Guy Fawkes Day, an annual celebration on the 5th of November. |
| In this lesson, you're going to learn about what Guy Fawkes Day is and how it is celebrated. |
| Why did people in the UK first start to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day? |
| We’ll show you the answer at the end of this video. |
| Guy Fawkes Day celebrates the failure of Guy Fawkes and his accomplices in their plot to kill King James I. In 1605, Fawkes and his friends planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament with the Protestant King inside and replace him with a Catholic monarch. However, their plot was discovered and they were arrested and later executed for treason. |
| We celebrate Guy Fawkes Day by lighting large bonfires and setting off fireworks. The celebrations are also called Bonfire Night. People may go to organised fireworks displays or have smaller parties in their gardens. Fireworks are a large part of the celebrations and although the event is on the 5th of November, it isn't unusual to hear fireworks throughout October too. |
| Another way of marking the day, is by the making of a guy. A guy is a homemade dummy that is usually made to resemble Guy Fawkes himself. It used to be commonplace to see children with their guys asking for money by shouting Penny for the guy!, but this tradition is not as popular in recent years. The guys are thrown onto the bonfires and burnt. |
| The image of Guy Fawkes has become very popular in recent years due to Guy Fawkes masks being used in the film V For Vendetta and also by the online group Anonymous. |
| And now I'll give you the answer to the earlier quiz. |
| Why did people in the UK first start to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day? |
| The celebrations of Guy Fawkes Day began because the government in 1605 enforced a public day of celebration. The public had no choice but to light bonfires and celebrate the failure of the plot. |
| How was this lesson? Did you learn something interesting? |
| Do you have any events or festivals that you celebrate with fireworks in your country? |
| Leave us a comment at EnglishClass101.com. And we'll see you in the next lesson! |
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