Guy Fawkes Night is the common nickname for Bonfire Night in Britain, linking the festival to its most famous conspirator.
The name refers to Guy Fawkes, the Catholic soldier who was discovered guarding the gunpowder beneath the House of Lords on 5 November 1605. Although Robert Catesby organised the conspiracy, Fawkes became the public face of the failed attack because he was captured at the explosives.
The annual event is also called Bonfire Night or Firework Night. Names vary by region and country, but the date is generally 5 November in the United Kingdom. Celebrations often include bonfires, fireworks, food, and an effigy called a “guy.”
The word “guy” later entered everyday English as a term for a man. That broader meaning developed from the stuffed effigies of Guy Fawkes displayed by children and burned during the festival. Modern celebrations usually focus on spectacle and community events rather than the original religious politics.