There are a few documents that are the foundation of the American Democracy as it used to be, BB. (Before Bu$h) Most are familiar with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and some perhaps know of the Articles of Confederation, which preceded the Constitution. Few know about the Constitution of the Iroquois Confederation, the oldest continuing democracy on the planet. And few know about the Magna Carta, the document at the base of English law. In many respects the Magna Carta is a foundation for our Constitution today.

One of the most significant documents in human history, the Magna Carta will be on display at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, located at 2200 Parks Ave in Virginia Beach. It will be at the art center until June 18.

Written in 1215, more than 500 years before the Declaration of Independence, it laid out many of the early principles of modern democracy by challenging the power of the King of England and suggesting that citizens have the right to determine whether their system of government is just.

There are four original copies of the Magna Carta in existence. The one on display in Virginia Beach is generally held at the Lincoln Cathedral archives in England.

The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., except on Mondays, when the it stays open until 9 p.m. Admission is $8 adults, $6 students.

At first glance, the Carta doesn’t seem all that “democratic” to those of us in the 21st century. Some provisions regarding women’s freedom and debt payment to “Jews” grate harshly on our modern-day beliefs. All journeys begin with a first step, though. It established the concept of judgment by peers, rather than by the king himself, and eliminated many of the harsher penalties of law that existed before that time. At the time it was written it was a great step forward in limiting the absolute power of kings in England.

For those of you who revere what we used to have, and might well have again some day, consider a trip to Virginia this summer. It will be time well spent for me.