In the UK, June 15th marks the anniversary of the Magna Carta treaty, which has influenced the world's modern democracy. Royals, officials, and special guests graced the celebration of its 800th year on Monday, BBC reports.
In 1215, King John signed a peace agreement with a group of baron rebels. Written in Latin on sheep skin, "The Great Charter" was the foundation of today's democratic freedom rights, honored by different governments across the world.
Queen Elizabeth, other royals, and members of the Church attended the event at Runnymede, where King John and the barons sealed the treaty, mediated by medieval Archbishop Stephen Langton.
British Prime Minister David Cameron spoke at the event saying the Magna Carta changed the world by creating "the balance of power between the governed and the government."
Further, Cameron also mentioned that this commemoration is in connection to the government's plan to impose the British Bill of Rights, as replacement to and independent from the European Court's Human Rights Act.
Cameron added that the implementation of the British Bill of Rights is in honor of the legacy achieved by those barons to impede the Civil War.
Chairman of the Magna Carta Treatment and Master of Rolls, Lord Dyson was quoted by BBC saying this 800-year-old treaty is a "a symbol of democracy, justice, human rights and perhaps above all the rule of law for the whole world."
"A few clauses of Magna Carta are still part of our law, including famously the provision that no free man shall be taken or imprisoned except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land; and to no-one will we sell, to no-one will we deny or delay right or justice," Dyson added.
The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William also participated in the ceremony by unveiling an art work in commemoration of the treaty's anniversary. The art work entitled, "The Jurors" by artist Hew Locke was inspired by Magna Carta's 39th clause that gives the public the right to a jury trial.
