LONDON.- Now in its final weeks, Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy has seen a record number of visitors to the British Library during the document’s 800th anniversary year.

Described as packing a ‘mighty emotional punch’ by the Guardian and 'rich and authoritative’ by the Daily Telegraph, Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy is the biggest exhibition there has ever been on Magna Carta, one of the most famous documents in the world.

It brings together manuscripts and objects from a thousand years of history to tell the story of the granting of Magna Carta and how it has evolved into an international symbol for freedom over centuries.

With two of the four surviving 1215 Magna Cartas on display, as well as the US Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights in the UK for the first time, the exhibition unites over 200 objects, such as medieval manuscripts, artworks, royal remains – including King John’s teeth and thumb bone – weaponry and 800 year old garments, through to modern interpretations and satires of the document, to reveal how Magna Carta acquired its iconic status and why it still resonates 800 years later.

As well as Magna Carta’s foundation in medieval history, the exhibition tells a story through the Library’s fascinating collections of how the document has been used over the last 800 years in the fight for rights and freedoms. From English Civil Wars, the reform of Parliament, Chartism and women’s suffrage, right up to modern satirical cartoons, it has been cited and invoked time and again.

Julian Harrison, co-curator of the exhibition, says: We’ve been thrilled at the number of people who’ve been to see our exhibition and by their overwhelmingly positive response to it. We wanted to put together a show that introduced Magna Carta to a wide audience, and which challenged people’s conceptions about the origins of our basic rights.

“There’s something for everyone to see, from King John’s teeth to the US Declaration of Independence, and from an executioner’s axe to the earliest record of Shakespeare on film.”

The exhibition has been accompanied by a major events programme, including guests like musician Saul Williams, Director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti, politician and civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales.

This August we will close the events programme with the first ever film screening on the British Library’s piazza. To celebrate 40 years of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, a screening of the film will follow a discussion with Monty Python member Michael Palin and historian Dan Jones on Tuesday 18 August.

A brand new comprehensive Magna Carta website also accompanies the exhibition featuring over 150 digitised collections items, newly-commissioned animations narrated by Terry Jones, a selection of films and teaching resources. The website features in-depth articles by 20 leading experts including Shami Chakrabarti and legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg.

Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy runs until 1 September 2015 at the British Library.