On the 5th of November 1605, Guy Fawkes (Yes, this is who V for Vendetta is based off of.) attempted to carry out the 'gunpowder plot'. Fireworks are used today to represent the explosion that could have happened around 400 years ago. Failure of this plot, is an excuse to encourage celebrations on 5th of November. Here are some fantastic steps to celebrate that night.

[edit] Steps

[edit] Bonfire Party

Visit your local fire station or pub that celebrates bonfire night. This could consist of fireworks, a huge bonfire, and music.
Make your own 5th of November bonfire party. Find a sizeable amount of land that is free of trees. Make certain it is not inhabited by people, or has stores or houses close by.
Gather materials to burn. Twigs and dry leaves will keep a bonfire going for quite a while. Invite friends and relatives and request them to contribute materials to burn. Never ever use petrol to start the bonfire, death can, and does occur from this mistake each and every year. Petrol is a highly flammable and extremely dangerous liquid! Instead consider using firelighting fluid or firelighing blocks which are made from much safer solidified hexane.
Check the weather forecast for the specific day of the bonfire. BBC Weather is a great place to check UK weather accurately so you can select the day that will be rain free.
Purchase fireworks and sparklers.
For safety precautions:
- Have a phone in hand at all times in case the bonfire gets out of hand. dial '999' and request help from the local fire station.
- Fill 2 buckets of water and have them in handy. Powerful hosepipes are ideal.
Get everything ready, and about 1 hour before friends and relatives arrive, start the bonfire. Do this by placing the firelighting fluid in the centre of the bonfire. Dried leaves, newspapers and small twigs made ideal kindling if placed loosly around the fluid.
Light a match or two and place it into the firelighting fluid. The hexane will light in a controlled manner and will cause the kindling to light. As the temperature increases the flames will very quickly turn from a small fire into a raging inferno. Make sure than you have enough firewood to maintain your bonfire for the duration of the party. As a rough guide the bonfire will burn a pile of wood equal to the size of the fire every hour.
Set up a guest area, a safe distance from the bonfire. When they arrive offer them a a drink and some refreshments. After a brief time of meeting and greeting, start lighting the fireworks. Take care with these also.

[edit] Burning an Effigy

Make an effigy of Guy Fawkes and attach it to a post outdoors, not near anything else.
Make sure that it's legal to burn things in your area. Call your local police station to confirm.
Burn the effigy, and recite the Gunpowder Prayer:
- Remember, remember, the 5th of November
  The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
  I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
  Should ever be forgot.
  Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
  'Twas his intent.
  To blow up the King and the Parliament.
  Three score barrels of powder below.
  Poor old England to overthrow.
  By God's providence he was catch'd,
  With a dark lantern and burning match
  
  Holloa boys, Holloa boys, let the bells ring
  Holloa boys, Holloa boys, God save the King!
  Hip hip Hoorah !
  Hip hip Hoorah !
  A penny loaf to feed ol'Pope,
  A farthing cheese to
  A pint of beer to rinse it down,
  A faggot of sticks to burn him.
  Burn him in a tub of tar,'
  Burn him like a blazing star.
  Burn his body from his head,
  Then we'll say: ol'Pope is dead.

[edit] Warnings

Some people may be offended by the Gunpowder prayer. Due to that the second verse is not commonly said.
It may be illegal to burn things in your area, so make sure to check with your local authorities.
BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE! Fire kills. If you don't know what you are doing, please don't do it!
If your fire looks as if it may spiral out of control, please dial 999/911 immediately. It is a lot easier for the fire brigade to put out a big bonfire than a house!