The Magna Carta was signed in England in 1215. This foundational document emerged from the discontent of the barons against King John, who imposed heavy taxes and exercised arbitrary power. By agreeing to the Magna Carta, King John acknowledged certain legal rights and limitations on his authority, establishing the principle that everyone, including the monarch, is subject to the law. The Magna Carta is often heralded as a crucial step towards constitutional governance and the protection of individual rights, influencing future democratic frameworks, including the U.S. Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.