Read the texts and choose the correct options. There is one extra option you do not need to choose
How It All Began
The Important Milestone in History
Essential Issues
Why is it important?
The Fact that will Never Be Forgotten
American independence
The Predecessors of the Document
A Remarkable Politician
[How It All Began|The Important Milestone in History|Essential Issues|Why is it important?|The Fact that will Never Be Forgotten|American Independence|The Predecessors of the Document|A Remarkable Politician]
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document that sets out fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been internationally recognised all around the world. The document was signed in 1948 in New York and is translated into over 500 languages. The Declaration has paved the way for 70 human rights treaties to be signed and is applied as an important part of every country's policy.[How It All Began|The Important Milestone in History|Essential Issues|Why is it important?|The Fact that will Never Be Forgotten|American Independence|The Predecessors of the Document|A Remarkable Politician]
There are 30 articles in the document. Every article proclaims equal and inalienable rights based on freedom, justice and peace. Basic human rights include things that people are morally and legally entitled to do or have. Among the most important there is the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and get education. Notably, every right is the same for everyone no matter what age, sex, race or nationality you are.[How It All Began|The Important Milestone in History|Essential Issues|Why is it important?|The Fact that will Never Be Forgotten|American Independence|The Predecessors of the Document|A Remarkable Politician]
Throughout centuries there have been many discussions over the issue of protecting the liberties and rights of people. The first attempts towards proclaiming basic human rights were made in Babylon, in 539 B.C., when the conqueror of the city, Cyrus the Great, freed all slaves and gave all people the right to choose their religion. Later, his ideas spread over India, Greece and Rome and eventually resulted in the signing of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1984.[How It All Began|The Important Milestone in History|Essential Issues|Why is it important?|The Fact that will Never Be Forgotten|American Independence|The Predecessors of the Document|A Remarkable Politician]
The Magna Carta (1215) is another famous document in history. Together with the Petition of Rights, issued in 1628, The Magna Carta, or "Great Charter", was used as a source of inspiration for creating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Magna Carta gave all free citizens new rights to own and inherit property and to be protected from excessive taxes. The king was the subject of the law.[How It All Began|The Important Milestone in History|Essential Issues|Why is it important?|The Fact that will Never Be Forgotten|American Independence|The Predecessors of the Document|A Remarkable Politician]
Another event that helped the world to move towards liberties is the Declaration of Independence which was adopted on July 4th, 1776, in the USA. This document declared the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. The document included three basic ideas of all people: the rights of life and liberty, the protection of these rights from the side of the government and the right of all people to revolt and to set up a new government if their rights are withheld by the state.[How It All Began|The Important Milestone in History|Essential Issues|Why is it important?|The Fact that will Never Be Forgotten|American Independence|The Predecessors of the Document|A Remarkable Politician]
The Declaration of Human Rights has been ratified by every country in the world. It is a guide to present action and has become a benchmark for the universal human rights standards protected in all countries. It helps to prevent violations and strengthen national and international human rights laws.[How It All Began|The Important Milestone in History|Essential Issues|Why is it important?|The Fact that will Never Be Forgotten|American Independence|The Predecessors of the Document|A Remarkable Politician]
Eleanor Roosevelt, who was the First Lady of the United States in 1933–1945, played a great role in championing civil rights and creating the Declaration. She was the chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights which drafted the document. In 1958, after 10 years The Declaration was signed, Eleanor gave a famous speech at the United Nations. She stated the reasons why human rights are important for everyone.