Bonfires have burned on Nov. 5th to mark the failed Gunpowder Plot

The tradition of Guy Fawkes bonfires nights actually began the very same year as the coup. The Plot was foiled in the night of the 4th of November 1605. But on the 5th, Londoners who knew little more than their King James 1st had been saved, lit bonfires as thanks. As years progressed, however, the ritual became more elaborate. Soon, people began placing effigies onto bonfires, and fireworks were added to the celebrations. This was/is done in all the towns , cities and villages throughout Britain to this day. Preparations for Bonfire Night celebrations include making a dummy of Guy Fawkes, which is called "the Guy". When I was a kid we in our street made several dummies then paraded up and down the streets begging for " a penny for the Guy ' from, passers by. We used our hard earned pennies on more fireworks for bonfire night Where did we find all the wood for the fire ?What ever we could get our hands on that burnt.Some days we would go up the lanes breaking limbs from trees even nicking the ax to chop down small saplings to drag home The local "Bobby' rode around on his bike but never did he ever catch any of us. We kids were realy smart in them days .Maybe he never did want to...catch us . he was a kid himself once
On the night itself, Guy is placed on top of the bonfire, which is then set alight; and fireworks displays fill the sky after dark.
Bonfire Night is not only celebrated in Britain. The tradition crossed the oceans and established itself in the British colonies .Today, November 5th bonfires still light up in far out places like New Zealand, Australia and Newfoundland in Canada. Alas, its dying out as the sale of foreworks are now illegal.