The historical significance of the Magna Carta, signed in 1215, lies in its role as a foundational document for constitutional governance and the rule of law. Forced upon King John of England by rebellious barons, the Magna Carta established the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law. It included protections for individual rights and established the idea of due process. While initially intended to address the grievances of the nobility, its legacy has influenced democratic developments worldwide. The Magna Carta inspired later constitutional frameworks, including the U.S. Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, promoting the importance of limited government and individual freedoms.