Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!
In March 1775, the Second Virginia Convention was underway in Richmond, Virginia. Delegates gathered at St. John’s Church for a historic purpose. Heated discussions raged over how to address British encroachments. Most attendees were not yet prepared for conflict, but they sought change.
One man rejected half-measures. He believed only a clear stance would bring change. If the colonies did nothing, their freedoms, rights, and liberties would be whittled away, like wood consumed by fire, until nothing worthwhile remained.
Notable figures at the convention included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, Peyton Randolph, Edmund Pendleton, Benjamin Harrison, and George Mason. Imagine hearing these men debate the appropriate response. Some still felt loyalty to England and did not anticipate full separation. Yet all knew change was necessary to preserve sovereignty. The Stamp Act and Intolerable Acts had already strained tensions. The pressing question was: Should Virginia arm its militia to prepare for potential conflict?
On the fourth day, March 23, after intense debate, Patrick Henry made his stance clear. Known for fiery oration and staunch support of colonial rights, he argued passionately for mobilizing Virginia’s defenses.
“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
This became a rallying cry for independence and defiance in the years that followed. No official transcript exists, but reconstructed accounts show Henry minced no words, making him a target for the British.
Over 250 years later, these words still resonate. If we do not stand for our liberties, we risk losing them.
