Magna Carta: An Australian Story

By Jemma Mrdak.

Get ready for a bit of a history lesson ladies and gents.

The Magna Carta is a album by Jay-Z. True. It is also one of the world’s most famous documents. Haven’t heard of it before? It was first written well before any of us were born, in 1215, and it set rules limiting the power of the monarchy and safeguarding basic human rights and freedoms. Magna Carta (Latin for the Great Charter) is one of the most famous documents in the world and one of the historic foundations of Australian democracy. Its principles about the law and government remain relevant today.

This year to celebrate the 800^th anniversary of Magna Carta the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is hosting an exhibition that links Australian stories with the ideas and spirits of this historic document.