United Kingdom celebrates 800 years of Magna Carta: Magna Carta is one of the most famous documents in the world. Explore its 800-year legacy with unique collection items, newly-commissioned articles by leading experts, videos and animations and a range of teaching resources. School groups can also contribute a clause towards a new Magna Carta for the digital age. To mark the beginning of the anniversary year, the four surviving original 1215 copies of Magna Carta were brought together for the first time in history.
The celebrations to observe signing of 8 century year old historic document which had laid foundation for modern democratic society was led by Queen Elizabeth II. UK Prime Minister David Cameron was also had joined the queen to mark the celebrations. Over the centuries Magna Carta has influenced kings and statesmen, lawyers and lawmakers, prisoners, Chartists and Suffragettes.
Highlights:
- Magna Carta is a Latin word which i means Great Charter. It is most important document of England signed on 15 June 1215 at Runnymede alongside the River Thames in the English county of Surrey.
- It had originated as a peace and truce treaty between King John and a group of rebellious barons within his kingdom.
- The document had mentioned promises between King John and his subjects mentioning that the king will govern England and deal with its people according to the customs of feudal law.
- Magna Carta had laid the first steps towards parliamentary democracy and the principle supremacy of law i.e. no one is above the law. It also laid the principle of balance of power between the governed and government.
- Its influence can be seen in other documents across the world including the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and on US Constitution and Bill of Rights.
- In case of India, its influence also can be seen on Part III of constitution which contains fundamental rights, described as the magna carta of India which has been derived inspiration from Bill of Rights.
