Despite these celebrations, nobody was clear quite what was being celebrated. Guy Fawkes was involved in the Gunpower Plot to blow up the British Parliament, had it happened today we would call him a terrorist. However, it is generally accepted that he had valid reasons to do so. The government of the day was corrupt and marginalizing Catholics. The thirteen perpetrators were English Catholics hoping to install a Catholic monarch after a successful assassination of King James I. The conspirators may have hoped this would restore religious tolerance of Catholics and legal equality.
The holiday was established in celebration of the failure of the plot and the escape of the King. But it since been used by the English to express their frustration with current political leaders. Many young Britons have only a vague notion of the original meaning of the bonfire.
Outside of England, few commonwealth countries continue to recognize November 5th to the present day. However, at least in Newfoundland, Canada, bonfire night is still celebrated.
