In the year 1215, the Magna Carta, one of the most important documents
             in history was signed by King John of England. The Magna Carta proclaims
             rights that have become a part of English law and are now the foundation of the
             Constitution of every English-speaking nation. It is the most significant event in
             the development of the modern world because it has given Americans today the
             rightful liberties of due process, common law, and rule of law. Although the
             Battle of Hastings in 1066 established the English language and united the
             Anglo Saxons and the Normans into a new people, the Magna Carta in 1215 is
             more crucial in the shaping of our world today. Our country is now a successful
             democracy that relies on the Magna Carta for the protection of all people's
             King John was disliked for punishing his enemies without trial, and the
             signing of the Magna Carta took away his power to do so. Article 39 stated: "No
             freeman shall be taken, or imprisoned, or disseized, or outlawed, or exiled, or in
             any way harmed--nor will we go upon or send upon him--save by the lawful
             judgment of his peers or by the law of the land." Due process, also known as the
             "law of the land," guarantees that everyone has the right to a fair trial by jury. In
             the United States it appears in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution and
             allows people the right to be present at trial and the right to be heard in his or
             her own defense. Without due process, innocent people could be accused,
             criminals could go unpunished, and our country would not have any just
             The Magna Carta also established common law which replaced the old
             feudal rules, which had allowed different lords to follow separate laws. Common
             law is one law that applies to everyone without exception. This helped take
             away power from the king and hastened the decline of feudalism. Today it is an
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