Since the Magna Carta was sealed in 1215 at Runnymede, it has become a powerful symbol of liberty and the rule of law, and has remained pertinent to this day. To mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, the British Library will roll out the red carpet to a landmark exhibition exploring the history and significance of this globally recognized document [1]. On February 3rd, 2015, the celebration of the Magna Carta will begin. As part of this sui generis event, the only four known copies of the Magna Carta from 1215 will come together for the first time in history at the British Library. They will be seen by the 1,215 people who have won their tickets via a public ballot. And no, they are not going to the chocolate factory afterwards [2].
The exclusive 1,215 people chosen out of the 45,000 people who entered the ballot will be “greeted by historian Dan Jones, and subsequently to the sound of live medieval music, will be taken by costumed characters from the 13th century to view the four original Magna Carta manuscripts” [3]. As Grandpa Joe said, “ yes, its strange, Charlie, but its fun!”
If this has piqued your interest, mark your calendars, because the Magna Carta is coming to town! After “18 months of negotiations just to get permission from the British government for the Magna Carta copy to leave the country” it is on its way [4]. The Magna Carta will kick off its four-city tour around Canada on June 11th, 2015 where it will first be displayed at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. From there the Magna Carta will travel to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, the Fort York National Historic Site in Toronto, and lastly, the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton on November 23rd, 2015. The documents, which will be open to the public to view, will stay in each Canadian city for up to six weeks. The tour will also be complete with “films, special exhibition galleries, interactive multimedia materials, souvenir catalogues and school learning modules” [4]. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity - it is almost like getting exclusive access to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory!
[1]http://www.bl.uk/events/magna-carta--law-liberty-legacy
[2]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/11310696/Magna-Carta-an-idiots-guide-by-historian-Dan-Jones.html
[3]http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/oct/08/four-copies-magna-carta-british-library
[4]http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/08/15/a_dream_to_bring_magna_carta_to_canada_hepburn.html
