Virginian Patrick Henry delivered one of the most consequential speeches in American history on March 23, 1775 — 250 years ago.
The setting for what became known as his “Liberty or Death” speech was St. John’s Church in Richmond, where the members of the House of Burgesses were meeting in exile, having been disbanded by the King of England’s appointed colonial governor, Lord Dunmore, in May 1774 for what he deemed treasonous activities.
The Virginia Convention — made up primarily of former members of the House of Burgesses, including George Washington, Richard Henry Lee, and Thomas Jefferson among 120 in all — had gathered to decide if the colony should follow the lead of Massachusetts and stand up to British tyranny.
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