One of the things I love most about living in Richmond is its remarkable sense of history. Richmond is one of the oldest American cities, having been settled in 1607, long before we formally declared independence from Great Britain.
At the Second Virginia Convention of 1775, in the presence of over 100 of Colonial Virginia's leaders, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee and Peyton Randolph, Patrick Henry passionately defended liberty with his "Liberty or Death" speech. His fiery speech in support of delivering Virginia militia to the Revolutionary War prompted delegates to shout "give me liberty, or give me death!" and swayed the vote. Patrick Henry's timely resolutions passed by a narrow margin and the American Revolution began the following month when shots were fired at Lexington and Concord.
Reenactments are performed on Sundays from May through September at Richmond's historic St. John's Episcopal Church. Professional actors in authentic 1770s attire engage in the debates and arguments of the Second Virginia Convention. Their performance is powerful and moving, and it stirs American patriotism in the most dramatic way. It's humbling to sit in the original location of the convention, in this simple yet awe-inspiring church, in the same pews where the giants of our infant country sat and debated its course.
Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace - but there is no peace. ... Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Patrick Henry, Second Virginia Convention of 1775
At the Second Virginia Convention of 1775, in the presence of over 100 of Colonial Virginia's leaders, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee and Peyton Randolph, Patrick Henry passionately defended liberty with his "Liberty or Death" speech. His fiery speech in support of delivering Virginia militia to the Revolutionary War prompted delegates to shout "give me liberty, or give me death!" and swayed the vote. Patrick Henry's timely resolutions passed by a narrow margin and the American Revolution began the following month when shots were fired at Lexington and Concord.
Reenactments are performed on Sundays from May through September at Richmond's historic St. John's Episcopal Church. Professional actors in authentic 1770s attire engage in the debates and arguments of the Second Virginia Convention. Their performance is powerful and moving, and it stirs American patriotism in the most dramatic way. It's humbling to sit in the original location of the convention, in this simple yet awe-inspiring church, in the same pews where the giants of our infant country sat and debated its course.
Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace - but there is no peace. ... Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Patrick Henry, Second Virginia Convention of 1775
As we celebrate our freedom, I'm proud to remember the pioneers who came before us, and those who continue the fight for us today. Happy 4th of July!
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