Magna Carta Place facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Magna Carta Place |
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Location | Parkes, Australian Capital Territory |
Managed by | National Capital Authority |
Magna Carta Place is a special park in Canberra, Australia. It is located in the area known as the Parliamentary Triangle, which is home to many important government buildings. This place was created to celebrate two big historical events: the signing of the Magna Carta and the Federation of Australia.
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What is Magna Carta Place?
Magna Carta Place is a beautiful park found in the suburb of Parkes in Canberra. It sits to the north-west of Old Parliament House, a very important historical building. The park is managed by the National Capital Authority, which looks after many of Canberra's national areas.
The Monument: A Special Gift
At the heart of Magna Carta Place is a monument dedicated to the Magna Carta. This monument was a gift from the British Government to the people of Australia. It was given to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Federation of Australia, which is when Australia became a united country.
The site for the monument was officially set aside in 1997. This year marked 700 years since King Edward I of England officially confirmed the Magna Carta. The monument itself was officially revealed in 2000 by John Howard, who was the Prime Minister of Australia at the time. This happened just before Australia's centenary of Federation in 2001.
What is the Magna Carta?
The Magna Carta is a very old and famous document from England. It was first agreed upon in 1215 by King John of England. It was one of the first documents to limit the power of a king and protect the rights of ordinary people. It is seen as a very important step towards modern laws and human rights.
Australia owns a rare copy of the 1297 version of the Magna Carta. The Australian government bought this copy in 1952. You can see it on display in the nearby Parliament House, Canberra, which is where Australia's government meets today.
How to Find Magna Carta Place
Magna Carta Place is surrounded by a group of roads that form a half-circle shape. These roads are King George Terrace, Queen Victoria Terrace, and Langton Crescent. This makes it easy to find within the Parliamentary Triangle area.