Bonfire Night facts for kids

Bonfire Night is a special time of year when people light big outdoor fires called bonfires and set off fireworks. It's celebrated on different dates around the world, and each celebration has its own unique history and meaning.

For example, in Great Britain, Bonfire Night is on 5 November. This date remembers a famous event from 1605 called the Gunpowder Plot, when a man named Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Luckily, he was stopped! So, people in Britain celebrate that the plot failed with bonfires and fireworks. They often burn an effigy (a dummy) of Guy Fawkes on the fire.

In Northern Ireland, some people celebrate "Eleventh Night" on 11 July. This night remembers the Battle of the Boyne from 1690, a big battle where the Protestant King William of Orange defeated the Catholic King James II.

In parts of Ireland, Bonfire Night is celebrated on 23 June, which is Saint John's Eve. This celebration has very old roots, going back to ancient times when people lit fires to honor a goddess and pray for good crops. Later, it became linked to the birth of St John. Another Bonfire Night in Ireland is on 30 April, the eve of the Celtic festival of Bealtaine.

Other countries also have bonfire celebrations:

• In Scandinavia and Germany, 30 April is known as Walpurgis Night.
• In Denmark and Norway, 23 June is sankthansaften.
• In Finland, bonfires are lit on the eve of Juhannus (Midsummer).
• Spain and Northern Portugal also have big celebrations on Saint John's Eve.

Why We Celebrate Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night means different things to different people and places.

Guy Fawkes Night (5 November)

In Great Britain, Bonfire Night is all about remembering the Gunpowder Plot. On 5 November 1605, Guy Fawkes and his friends tried to blow up the Parliament building in London. They wanted to get rid of King James I. But their plan was discovered, and Guy Fawkes was caught. So, Bonfire Night celebrates that the plot failed and the King was safe.

Today, it's mostly a fun night with bonfires and fireworks. Many towns and cities have big public displays. You might also see funfairs, special food, and family entertainment. This celebration is also held in some other countries that used to be part of the British Commonwealth, like Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada and South Africa.

Eleventh Night (11 July)

In Northern Ireland, "Bonfire Night" can also mean the celebrations on 11 July. This night remembers the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. In this battle, the Protestant King William of Orange defeated the Catholic King James II. This event is still very important to many people in Northern Ireland.

Saint John's Eve (23 June)

In places like Cork in Ireland, "Bonfire Night" is on 23 June, which is Saint John's Eve. This celebration is connected to the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Long ago, people lit fires to honor a goddess named Áine and to ask for good harvests. Later, the Christian church connected this tradition to the birth of St John.

Bealtaine Eve (30 April)

In the city of Limerick, Ireland, "Bonfire Night" is on 30 April. This is the eve of Bealtaine, an ancient Celtic festival that marked the start of summer.

Safety and the Environment

While Bonfire Night is a lot of fun, it's important to be safe. Big fires and fireworks can be dangerous if not handled carefully. Fire departments often get many more calls on Bonfire Night because of fires and accidents.

Fireworks can also cause injuries. Because of safety worries, some places have rules about fireworks. For example, in parts of the Caribbean, fireworks are banned. In New Zealand, there are limits on when and how people can use them, but public firework shows are still very popular.

Bonfire celebrations can also affect the environment. The smoke from bonfires and fireworks can cause air pollution. It's important to be responsible and think about safety and the environment when celebrating.

Traditional Bonfire Night Foods

Many tasty foods are enjoyed around Bonfire Night, especially in England:

• Toffee apples are a classic treat, often eaten on a stick.
• Treacle toffee is a very hard, sweet candy.
• Black peas are a traditional snack in some areas.
• Parkin (cake)|Parkin is a type of gingerbread cake.
• Jacket potato (baked potato) is a warm and filling meal, perfect for a chilly night.
• Some families also enjoy warm soups or toast marshmallows over the bonfire.

Images for kids

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  A robot illustration.