Virginia Convention in Richmond on March 20, 1775 Quotes
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Source: Virginia Convention in Richmond on March 20, 1775
Speaker: Patrick Henry
Give me liberty, or give me death!
Context
This famous line was spoken by Patrick Henry at the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond on March 20, 1775.
It's hard to imagine a time when Americans were content with letting anyone walk all over them. That time ended on March 20, 1775, when Patrick Henry, sick of everyone waffling over whether or not to fight the British for independence, gave an impassioned speech with a killer of a closing line: "Give me liberty, or give me death!"
Goosebumps.
Where you've heard it
Um, this is only one of the most famous speeches of all time, and it's used to drum up enthusiasm to fight for freedom.
Here are a few other places you might find it:
- You may be familiar with the history textbook of the same name.
- The first mission of Grand Theft Auto III is called "Give Me Liberty."
- Whose Line is it Anyway? It's Patrick Henry's, although he seems to be at a bakery.
Plus, tons of political cartoonists use this iconic quote as a cheap joke on all sides of the political spectrum.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Who doesn't like liberty?