20 January 2015 marks the 750th anniversary of the first parliament of elected representatives at Westminster, the de Montfort Parliament
50 years earlier Magna Carta - or the Great Charter - was sealed by King John in 1215 and established for the first time that everyone, including him, was subject to law
The BBC is broadcasting a day of live events, discussion and debate broadcast from inside Westminster and the BBC Radio Theatre
Highlights include an interview with the inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners Lee; live streaming of BBC News meetings; and panel debates from inside the Radio Theatre
Democracy Day is produced in collaboration with the House of Commons and the House of Lords
Image source, APNow another discussion about the Japanese hostages taken by IS militants. They are asking what parts of an IS video the BBC can show and again, editors say this can be seen as pure propaganda by IS.
Luke Brynley-Jones tweets, external: Pleased #socialmedia has been cited in #BBCDemocracyDay as a key factor in modern democracy. It's only 10 years old… just the beginning.
Eveleigh MD tweets, external: #BBCDemocracyDay Surely choosing not to vote is also a choice?
James Harding starts with BBC plans for the US state of the union speech tonight. The speech is at 2:30 GMT tomorrow morning so the BBC will do previews today. This is US President Obama's chance to define his legacy.
David Hayling tweets, external: Casting your vote is a civil obligation & part of the 'social contract' of living in a democracy #BBCDemocracyDay
We have a live radio debate coming up at 09:15 GMT, called "Can democracy work?" A panel of experts on British politics will discuss the current state of democracy. We'll be streaming it on the BBC News Channel.
Ian Kemmish from Bedfordshire emails: Every country gets the democracy it deserves. The Swiss with their highly developed sense of civic duty get quite a lot of it. The Brits get a parliamentary democracy and the Russians get almost none at all yet seem happier than any of us.
James Harding is taking the chair as the editorial meeting kicks off.
Coming up we will be following another editorial meeting - what we call the "nine". It's where the head of news and current affairs James Harding hosts a discussion on top stories - both domestic and global - and sets the news agenda for the day. Catch it live here.
Ian Molyneaux in Buckingham emails: I think the general public are disillusioned with mainstream politics. I think the UK needs to change to proportional representation. The Westminster system is old-fashioned, unrepresentative of the majority and open to manipulation of electoral boundaries. This has certainly worked well in New Zealand where I was born.
Ali Stoddart tweets, external: I'm amazed at how much #BBCDemocracyDay is electorally focused. Democracy is about more than the ballot box once every 4/5 years.
Following on from that research - the BBC is looking at the rise of populist parties and the affect they will have on elections over the next year. One editor says that while this is quite a Europe-centric story, the BBC's look at protests related to democracy - for example the Arab Spring protests and those recently in Hong Kong - can be picked up more internationally.
Image source, APPolitical earthquakes could be in store for Europe in 2015, according to research by the Economist Intelligence Unit for the BBC's Democracy Day. It says the rising appeal of populist parties could see some winning elections and mainstream parties forced into previously unthinkable alliances.
Morgan Reynolds emails: I'm 19 and this is my first general election that I will be voting in but I still feel that there is not enough done to encourage young people to vote!
Back in the World Service editorial meeting, editors suggest one story about an organ donation from a UK newborn would be well read internationally.
Behind the scenes at the World Service. Editors discuss today's global news agenda.
Ryan Thomas tweets, external: Can anyone prove that democracy exists? #BBCDemocracyDay
Join us in the @bbcworldservice news meeting. Watch it live now.
The threat from Islamic militants IS is now being discussed in the World Service editorial meeting. Editors are pondering an age-old dilemma - whether covering their threat against two Japanese hostage is powering the group's propaganda.
Vicky Metcalf tweets, external: Today we are a 750 year old #democracy! Lets celebrate by always exercising our right to vote! Happy #DemocracyDay