The country known as the birthplace of democracy is Greece, particularly ancient Athens. Around the 5th century BCE, Athens developed a system of government where citizens participated directly in decision-making processes, laying the groundwork for democratic principles. This early form of democracy allowed for the assembly of citizens to debate and vote on laws and policies, emphasizing civic involvement and public discourse. Although limited to free male citizens and excluding women, slaves, and non-citizens, this model influenced the evolution of democratic systems worldwide. Today, Greece's historical contributions continue to be celebrated as foundational to modern democratic governance.