Around 510 BCE - The Ancient Athenians
 Invented Democracy

Over 2400 years ago, the famous Greek general, Pericles, said, "It is true that we (Athenians) are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and now the few, with equal justice to all alike in their private disputes." 

Only in Athens, and only for a short time, "rule by many" meant that all citizens had to be willing to take an active part in government. That was the law. 

Each year, 500 names were drawn from all the citizens of Athens. Those 500 citizens had to serve for one year as the law makers of ancient Athens. 

All citizens of Athens were required to vote on any new law that this body of 500 citizens created. One man, one vote, majority ruled. Women, children, and slaves were not citizens, and thus could not vote.

After the Peloponnesian War with Sparta, which Athens lost, once again Athens was ruled by a king. But for a brief period of about 100 years, Athens was a democracy. It was not a perfect democracy, but it established the roots of democracy. We owe Athens a lot!  

A Direct Democracy: A government in which people vote to make their own rules and laws

A Representative Democracy: A government in which people vote for representatives. The representatives make rules and laws that govern themselves and the people.