What is BONFIRE NIGHT? | British Traditions & Culture

86,858 views ・ 2017-11-04

English Like A Native


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Remember, remember the fifth of November. Why?
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Because it's Bonfire Night!
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But what is Bonfire Night?
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Why do we celebrate?
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How do we celebrate?
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Bonfire Night was started because of a plot
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that was foiled back in 1605
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on November the fifth.
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A group of people had been plotting
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to blow up Parliament
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with King James inside,
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and one of these plotters was called Guy Fawkes.
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On the 5th of November he was discovered
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in the basement of the Houses of Parliament
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with a huge barrel full of gunpowder
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and a fuse ready to be lit.
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The guard discovered him, arrested him.
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He was tried and found guilty,
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after which he was hung, drawn and quartered.
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A nasty punishment!
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In order to celebrate his survival,
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King James ordered the people of England
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to light a huge bonfire
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on the evening of the 5th of November.
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And that is how Bonfire Night began.
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Back in the 1600s Bonfire Night was about politics and religion
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and it caused some unrest for many many years.
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But these days we've forgotten all of that,
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and Bonfire Night is all about
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having fun and social interaction.
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So what will you find in the UK on Bonfire Night?
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Well...
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[1] Bonfires.
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Usually there's one big organised event
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that you can go to, where they have a huge bonfire
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that's kept very safe.
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[2] Fireworks.
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There has to be fireworks on Bonfire Night.
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Of course it's not fun for the animals -
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they find it quite nerve-wrecking.
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But for the kiddies and for the families alike,
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we all enjoy a good fireworks display.
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[3] Guy Fawkes.
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Even though Bonfire Night is no longer about politics,
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Guy still features in most Bonfire Nights.
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Children will enjoy making a huge life-size guy
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out of tights and newspapers and old clothes.
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And what they would normally do then is
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throw the guy onto the bonfire and burn him.
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Which is interesting, because the original Guy Fawkes
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wasn't killed with fire.
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He was hung, drawn and quartered.
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And many organised events will also include things like
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music, rides or funfair-type stalls.
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You might even find candyfloss,
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toffee apples, alcohol being served.
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It really is just a chance for families to get together
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and enjoy a good night out in the fresh air,
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hopefully when it's not raining.
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So if you are celebrating Bonfire Night
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with a little sparkler, a bonfire and some fireworks,
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then I hope that you have a wonderful time,
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but remember to stay safe.
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Until next time, take care!
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[MUSIC]
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