On Nov. 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes was arrested in connection with a failed attempt to blow up London's House of Lords during an appearance by King James I. Once the public discovered that James had survived an assassination attempt, they lit celebratory bonfires around the city. The following year, Parliament passed the Observance of 5th November Act, which called for an annual remembrance of the plot. Today, Guy Fawkes Day is a happy occasion — full of fireworks, bonfires and burned effigies of the 17th century villain. It's celebrated in Britain, Canada, South Africa, the Caribbean and New Zealand.