OTTAWA — An original copy of the Magna Carta will stop in Ottawa in the old courtroom at the courthouse next month. The free exhibit will be on display from March 1 to 31 during regular courthouse hours, 8 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m., said John Steelman, Fourth Judicial District administrator. English King John was forced by rebel barons to sign the Magna Carta 802 years ago at Runnymede. The Magna Carta became the bedrock of British and American legal rights, including trial by jury, habeas corpus and due process. “While the Magna Carta began as a series of grievances from barons in medieval England, the fundamental rights that were laid out in that document were later echoed in our own Declaration of Independence, and have been symbolic of liberty and democracy,” Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said. “I encourage civic clubs, educators and other interested citizens to use this opportunity to discuss our civic history and to engage in learning about the precious system of self-government we have inherited from those who came before.” “The collective genius of our nation’s founding fathers is memorialized in both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution,” said District Judge Douglas Witteman. “The Magna Carta is a portion of the deep historical roots that provided their inspiration that still manifests the liberty and justice enjoyed by Americans today.” The attorney general and the judge also said they would help arrange presentations about civics and the rule of law for civic clubs, school groups and other interested Franklin County organizations during the month the Magna Carta display is in Ottawa. Those interested in requesting a presentation may contact John Steelman, District Court Administrator, by phone at 785-242-6000 or by email at [email protected]. The Lincoln Cathedral copy began touring the U.S. two years ago to mark the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta.
Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.
