Discover how Guy Fawkes and 13 others planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder many times more gunpowder than they needed, but failed. They were attempting to kill King James. Tipped off by a warning letter, Parliament began to be searched where Guy Fawkes was found having been guarding the gunpowder in the basement. and taken to the Tower of London. Convicted of treason, Guy Fawkes and his conspirators were sentenced to death.The first celebration was held on November 5, 1606, the day the attack would have taken place.