American Values

Give Me Liberty

Yesterday marked the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death” speech. Henry delivered the speech at the Second Virginia Convention in March 1775, when colonial leaders were debating the future relationship with Great Britain.

While the colonists bristled at unfair taxation by the British, the possibility of rebellion against the king deeply divided the colonies. Henry’s passionate address before the Second Virginia Convention was a decisive turning point.