The iconic phrase “Give me liberty or give me death!” continues to resonate through history, from the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in China to the COVID-19 restrictions opposition in the U.S. in 2020.
This powerful declaration was initially expressed 250 years ago by Patrick Henry, a prominent lawyer and legislator, urging Virginia colonists to stand against the oppressive measures of Great Britain, just weeks ahead of the American Revolution.
As tensions escalated, especially in Massachusetts where British forces occupied Boston, historian John Ragosta notes, “The entire episode was about helping our brethren in Massachusetts. It’s about the community. It’s about the nation.”
Henry delivered his stirring speech in a Richmond church, an address that extended to about 1,200 words, yet it is the seven-word phrase that has endured through the ages, much like words from a Shakespearean play.
Patrick Henry Jolly, a descendant of Henry, is set to reenact the original speech in the same church where it was first delivered, coinciding with Virginia’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the nation’s birth.
Born into an influential Virginia family in 1736, Henry rose to prominence in his twenties as a trial lawyer, championing the cause of inalienable rights, which would later echo in the Declaration of Independence.
Elected to Virginia’s colonial legislature in 1765, Henry played a crucial role in opposing the Stamp Act, which imposed direct taxes on the colonies. Many colonists felt like second-class citizens, voicing frustration over their lack of representation in Parliament. By the time Henry delivered his famous speech, urgency prevailed among Virginians regarding the ongoing British aggression in Boston.
Historian Ray Raphael, in his 2004 book “Founding Myths,” suggests it is doubtful that Henry coined the phrase “Give me liberty or give me death!” However, the version most recognized today was published 42 years later, based on recollections from those present during Henry’s original oration.
Despite debates regarding the exact words Henry used, multiple historical accounts attest to the phrase’s presence, with Thomas Jefferson among those recalling Henry’s impassioned delivery.
The immediate impact of Henry’s speech galvanized support for independence and bolstered Virginia’s militias in their fight against British rule. As the threat of British promises of freedom to enslaved people became evident, many turned towards patriotism.
Following independence, Henry served as Virginia’s governor five times and became a notable anti-federalist, initially opposing the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. However, he eventually supported the founding document, recognizing that “we the people voted for it” and emphasizing the need to abide by it.
Jolly observes that many view his ancestor’s words positively and acknowledge their historical importance, noting their continued relevance in contemporary debates about rights.
As historian Jon Kukla highlights, Henry and his contemporaries carefully distinguished between liberty and unchecked freedom. “Liberty, as they understood it, was not the freedom to do anything you damn well pleased,” Kukla stated.
