Guy Fawkes Night is an old English event celebrated each year on the evening of November 5th with bonfires, fireworks and family gatherings.

New Zealanders celebrate the annual festival in the same way as the English do, with bonfires and fireworks lit on the official November 5 night - the only difference being that it's a lot warmer in New Zealand at this time of year.

For kiwis, Guy Fawkes has become an occasion signalling the coming of summer and a chance for family and friends to get together and take in the excitement of spectacular fireworks.

Guy Fawkes may be celebrated at home or at large public fireworks displays at schools, parks and stadiums.

These public events enable people to see much more spectacular displays of fireworks, and also have a much higher level of safety than home-based celebrations.

SunLive asked people what they thought of Guy Fawkes. Watch the video above to see what they had to say. Continue below for the history of the fireworks celebration.

History of Guy Fawkes

The origin of Guy Fawkes dates back to 1605 when a group of 12 men tried to blow up Britain's House of Parliament. This event became known as the Gunpowder Plot, and included Mr. Guy Fawkes, who established his reputation as one of Britain's most notorious traitors.

Under the rule of James 1st, English Catholics had been persecuted for many years. The 12 Gunpowder Plot conspirators believed that violent action was warranted to end this persecution. By blowing up the Houses of Parliament it was intended that they would kill the King, maybe even the Prince of Wales, and the Members of Parliament who were making life difficult for the Catholics.

To carry out their plan, the conspirators got hold of 36 barrels of gunpowder, and stored them in a cellar just under the House of Lords.

But as the group worked on the plot, it became clear that innocent people would be hurt or killed in the attack. Some of the plotters started having second thoughts. One of the group members even sent an anonymous letter warning his friend, Lord Monteagle, to stay away from the Parliament on November 5th.

The warning letter reached the King, and the King's forces made plans to stop the conspirators. Guy Fawkes, who was in the cellar of the parliament with the 36 barrels of gunpowder when the authorities stormed it in the early hours of November 5th, was caught and sent to trial. To show the public that treason would not be tolerated, the judge sentenced Fawkes to the most horrendous form of execution available: that of being hung, drawn and quartered.

To ensure that this message to the public was reinforced, it became the tradition for a sermon to be delivered in Parliament every year on the anniversary of this date. This became known as the 'Gunpowder Plot Sermon.” In addition, a poem or nursery rhyme was created to make sure that each new generation would remember the Gunpowder plot, and the nasty end that awaits traitors. This poem is sometimes called the 'Please to Remember the Fifth of November” poem, or simply 'Remember Remember the Fifth of November”.

Remember, remember the fifth of November

The gunpowder treason and plot

I see no reason why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot

Guy Fawkes Guy, 'twas his intent

To blow up king and parliament

Three score barrels were laid below

To prove old England's overthrow.

By God's mercy he was catched

With a dark lantern and lighted match.

Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring

Holler boys, holler boys, God save the King

Information from www.kiwifamilies.co.nz