On June 15, 1215, King John of England signs the Magna Carta declaring the King to be subject to the rule of law and documenting the liberties held by free men.  The Magna Carta lays the  foundation for individual rights enshrined in several Constitutions across the globe, including the US Constitution. The Industrial Revolution creates a new educated Middle Class which further promotes a free society and in essence, a democracy. Further gains are made in the 19th Century and post WWII, a big portion of Europe turns democratic. After the collapse of the Soviet Union democracy spreads even further but in the current period, a new trend of Authoritarian Democracies seem to be on the rise.