Enlightenment

On 3 May 1791, the Sejm of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth adopted Europe's first modern constitution. It abolished the parliamentary chaos that had paralysed Poland for over a century, declared that power derives from the will of the people, and established a functioning constitutional monarchy. Russia invaded within a year.

On 15 January 1759, the British Museum opened its doors to the public — tickets by written application only. It holds eight million objects today, charges nothing to enter, and argues with half the world about giving things back.