Who Was Guy Fawkes?

If you are from England, you might be familiar with the fireworks displays on November 5th, in celebration of Guy Fawkes' Night. But for those of us in the states, it might seem a little confusing.

More than a few songs throughout the years have immortalized this holiday, with none (I'd bet) more famous than the line "Remember, remember, the fifth of November." But why? Who was Guy Fawkes and why do the British set off fireworks in remembrance?

Fawkes was a conspirator in the Gunpowder Plot, a plan to blow up King James I and all the members of both Houses of Parliament in 1605. After 45 years of rule under Elizabeth I, Catholics had little to no freedom to practice their religion. James, at first, seemed to have sympathies towards the Catholics, but political moves and plots solidified his stance to maintain the support of the Puritans.

Fawkes was a fierce believer in Roman Catholicism, having converted as an adult and served in the military. Though not the leader of the conspiracy, he was the main one chosen to carry out this plan of placing barrels of gunpowder underneath the Parliament buildings and lighting them on November 5th. However, an anonymous letter tipped off officials, and Fawkes was caught and arrested.

In reaction, the public would hold displays of burning Fawkes in effigy and shooting off fireworks to symbolize the explosion that never happened.

References:
"Fawkes, Guy (1570-1606)." The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather guide. Abington: Helicon, 2010. Credo Reference. Web. 05 November 2012.

"Gunpowder Plot." The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather guide. Abington: Helicon, 2010. Credo Reference. Web. 05 November 2012.

Robinson, Bruce. "The Gunpowder Plot." History. BBC World Service, 29 March 2011. Web. 05 November 2012. ‹http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/civil_war_revolution/gunpowder_robinson_01.shtml/›.