November 5th: Bonfire Night

On the night of November 5th, the English light bonfires[1] and shoot off fireworks[2] to celebrate Bonfire Night, in commemoration of the failed Gunpowder Plot[3] in 1605. The Catholic plotters[4]were caught while digging a tunnel under the Houses of Parliament in order to blow it up, while the Protestant King James I and the English Members of Parliament sat inside. Of course, the plotters were executed as traitors[5], which meant they were hanged, drawn and quartered[6]. To mark the occasion, effigies of Guy Fawkes, the leader of the conspirators, are burnt in the bonfires. Traditionally, children used to beg for money, chanting[7], “A penny for the Guy”[8], as they carried their “Guy” effigy along with them. Traditional treats are also enjoyed, such as bonfire toffee[9]and toffee apple lollipops[10].

[1] hogueras, [2] fuegos artificiales, [3] Complot de Polvera fallado, [4] conspiradores, [5] traidores, [6] horcados, arrastrados y descuartizados, [7] cantando, [8] un penique por el Guy, [9] caramelo, [10] piruletas