Editing Runnymede (section)

=== Magna Carta Memorial ===
Situated in a grassed enclosure, on the lower slopes of Cooper's Hill, this memorial is of a domed classical style [[monopteros]], containing a pillar of English [[granite]] on which is inscribed "To commemorate Magna Carta, symbol of Freedom Under Law". The memorial was created by the [[American Bar Association]] (ABA) after a suggestion by the lawyer and historian Louis Ottenberg.<ref>{{cite journal <!--{{sfn|Ottenberg|1957|p}} --> |last=Ottenberg |first=Louis |title=Magna Charta Documents: The Story Behind the Great Charter |journal=American Bar Association Journal |volume=43 |issue=6 |date=June 1957 |page=497 |jstor=25720021}}</ref> Designed by Sir [[Edward Maufe]] R.A., it was unveiled on 18 July 1957 at a ceremony attended by American and English lawyers.<ref name="ntmon"/>

Since 1957 representatives of the ABA have visited and rededicated the Memorial, renewing pledges to the Great Charter. In 1971 and 1985 commemorative stones were placed on the Memorial plinth. In July 2000 the ABA came:

{{blockquote|to celebrate Magna Carta, foundation of the rule of law for ages past and for the new millennium.}}

In 2007, on its 50th anniversary, the ABA again visited Runnymede. During its convention it installed as President Charles Rhyne, who devised [[Law Day (United States)|Law Day]], which in the United States represents an annual reaffirmation of faith in the forces of law for peace. Floodlights were installed in 2008 to light the memorial at night.

In 2015, in anticipation of the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, the two wooden benches at the memorial were replaced by stone benches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chilstone.com/news/magna-carta-bench/ |title=Magna Carta Bench |publisher=Chilstone |date=15 July 2015 |access-date=15 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715203823/http://chilstone.com/news/magna-carta-bench/ |archive-date=15 July 2015 }}</ref> On 15 June, the anniversary day, the ABA, accompanied by [[United States Attorney General]] [[Loretta Lynch]], rededicated the memorial in a ceremony led by [[Anne, Princess Royal]] in the presence of [[Elizabeth II]] and other members of the [[British royal family]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33126723 |title=Magna Carta changed the world, David Cameron tells anniversary event |date=15 June 2015 |publisher=BBC News|access-date=15 July 2015}}</ref>

The Magna Carta Memorial is administered by the Magna Carta Trust, which is chaired by the [[Master of the Rolls]].<ref name=rbcaba>{{cite web | title = American Bar Association | url = http://www.runnymede.gov.uk/portal/site/magnacarta/menuitem.f38b9c56ee32432edf7a8e7c9f8ca028/ | publisher = Runnymede Borough Council | access-date = 21 October 2008 }}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="135px">
File:ABA-wyrdlight-815935.jpg|ABA tribute to Magna Carta at Runnymede with stone benches installed in 2015
File:Runnymede-americanbar-visit.jpg|Engraved stone recalling the 1985 ABA visit
Image:KioskRunnymede.jpg|Lutyens designed memorial kiosk and pier
Image:Detail of Magna Carta monument.JPG|Detail of the roof of the Magna Carta memorial.
</gallery>