© Shutterstock

Guy Fawkes - Guy Fawkes was born on April 13th, 1570 in York, England.

© Getty Images

Fighting for the Spanish - Fawkes worked with explosives while fighting in the Spanish in the Eighty Years' War. Around this time, he nicknamed himself "Guido."

© Getty Images

Arrested - In 1604, he was arrested while stashing explosives beneath the House of Lords. A group of Catholic conspirators, Guy Fawkes among them, had planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill the Protestant King James I. The plan was referred to as the Gunpowder Plot.

© Getty Images

John Johnson - Before and during the Gunpowder Plot, Guy Fawkes called himself John Johnson. This is the moniker he gave when he was arrested.

© Getty Images

Death of Guy Fawkes - Guy Fawkes confessed to his involvement in the plot, and was sentenced to death.

© Getty Images

Bonfire - Meanwhile, the king lived. On November 5, 1605, Londoners celebrated this by making bonfires. An Act of Parliament designated a day of celebration for "the joyful day of deliverance," creating the annual event on the fifth of November. The Act remained in force until 1859.

© Getty Images

What if Guy Fawkes had succeeded? - If Guy Fawkes had succeeded in destroying Parliament, the explosion would have had a huge impact. The idea was to clear the way for a Catholic regime.

© Getty Images

Legend - In a 2002 poll by the BBC, Guy Fawkes was named the 30th Greatest Briton (of all time).

© Getty Images

Bonfire Night - On Bonfire Night, many British parks host a firework display. Bonfires are still lit, and burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes has become tradition.

© Getty Images

Effigies - These effigies are known as "Guys." 

© Shutterstock

Penny for the guy - In 1790, The Times reported that children begged for money for Guy Fawkes, all the while carrying the effigies (as can be seen in the photo). Asking for a "penny for the guy" has been tradition ever since.

© Getty Images

The Yeomen of the Guard - Even now, every year the Yeomen of the Guard search the cellars in the House of Parliament. They even use candle-lanterns to do it, for authenticity.

© Getty Images

Fire Master of England - Queen Elizabeth I loved these fireworks so much, she created the honorary title "Fire Master of England," given to the person with the best fireworks display.

© Shutterstock

Millions spent on fireworks - It is estimated that £497 million (more than US$642 million) was spent on Bonfire Night in the UK in 2017, including personal fireworks shows as well as tickets to events.

© Getty Images

Impressive display - London's Alexandra Palace hosts one of the largest firework displays, featuring burning floats and a huge parade.

© Shutterstock

Fireworks -

There are some amazing fireworks displays all over the city, and many of them also feature activities for the whole family. 

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

© Wikimedia/Creative Commons

Bonfire Night food - It is tradition to eat toffee apples on Bonfire Night. Though toasted marshmallows are also a crowd favorite.

© Shutterstock

No Bonfire Night at St Peter's School - Guy Fawkes and co-conspirator Christopher Wright both attended St Peter's School in York. The school does not celebrate Bonfire Night.

© Shutterstock

Bonfire Night in other countries - Bonfire Night is also celebrated in other parts of the Commonwealth and Ireland.

© Shutterstock

Burglaries on Bonfire Night - However, don't be complacent. Bonfire Night could still be a risky night for some. Leaving your house unattended to see the fireworks could tempt thieves.

© Shutterstock

Guy Fawkes' influence - In 1982, Alan Moore published a comic series titled 'V for Vendetta.' It is loosely based on the story of Guy Fawkes.

© Shutterstock

'V for Vendetta' - 'V for Vendetta' was later adapted into a movie starring actress Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving as Guy Fawkes.

© BrunoPress

Anonymous - Political protesters have adopted a mask of Guy Fawkes to hide their identity.

© Shutterstock

Guy Fawkes Island - The extent of Guy Fawkes' influence is impressive. An uninhabited island in the Galapagos is named Guy Fawkes Island.

© Shutterstock

Signature - Here's a copy of Guy Fawkes' signature. It could have been shaky due to the torture he suffered.

© Getty Images

Lantern -

The University of Oxford's Ashmolean Museum holds the lantern that Guy Fawkes carried on the night of his arrest.

See also: London's most fascinating museums and galleries.

© Getty Images