Patrick Henry’s Speech

250th Anniversary

March 23, 2025

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I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
 

Step back in time to March 23, 1775! At the Second Virginia Convention, held within the hallowed walls of St. John’s Church in Richmond, Patrick Henry ignited the flames of revolution with his legendary speech. His words galvanized the Virginia delegation, leading to a resolution that committed Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War.

250 years later, on March 23, 2025, St. John’s Church and VA250 brought history alive with a series of reenactments in the very spot where this pivotal moment unfolded. Relive that moment through the archived livestream of the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. This program featured keynote addresses from VA250 National Honorary Chair Carly Fiorina and filmmaker Ken Burns, making his first public appearance to promote his newest and highly anticipated documentary PBS documentary series “The American Revolution” premiering November 16, 2025.

Local Events

Lantern Tour with Patrick Henry JollyLantern Tour with Patrick Henry Jolly
April 12, 2025 - April 12, 2025
Charlotte County

Join Patrick Henry Jolly on a pop-up Lantern Tour of Red Hill on Saturday, April 12, at 6:30 pm. Patrick will show visitors around the historic ground... Read More

Red Hill Rediscovered: Home for a "Most Notable Patriot" - Patrick HenryRed Hill Rediscovered: Home for a "Most Notable Patriot" - Patrick Henry
April 16, 2025 - April 16, 2025
Charlotte County

Join Elyse Werling, curator of collections for Preservation Virginia, as she discusses the lives, triumphs, and tragedies that filled the halls of Pat... Read More

Star PartyStar Party
April 26, 2025 - April 26, 2025
Charlotte County

Join fellow astronomers, star-gazing enthusiasts, and Red Hill staff for a Star Party on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 8pm. Telescopes will be available... Read More

Red Hill Rediscovered: Patrick HenryRed Hill Rediscovered: Patrick Henry's Early Years
May 01, 2025 - May 01, 2025
Charlotte County

Join Patrick Henry Jolly for a look into the ancestry and childhood of Patrick Henry. This virtual talk will be streamed LIVE on Red Hill’s social m... Read More

A Case of Unwise Passions: The Mystery at GlenlyvarA Case of Unwise Passions: The Mystery at Glenlyvar
May 18, 2025 - May 18, 2025
Henrico County

This 1791 murder was so macabre that even the physical landmarks have all but disappeared. In this presentation, we will examine the criminal case tha... Read More

Naturalization Ceremony & Patrick HenryNaturalization Ceremony & Patrick Henry's Birthday
May 29, 2025 - May 29, 2025
Charlotte County

The Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation will host its annual Naturalization Ceremony on the grounds of Red Hill, Henry’s last home and burial place, o... Read More

Red Hill Rediscovered: Thomas Jefferson v. Patrick Henry - A Personal & Political BattleRed Hill Rediscovered: Thomas Jefferson v. Patrick Henry - A Personal & Political Battle
June 13, 2025 - June 13, 2025
Charlotte County

Join award-winning author Dr. John A. Ragosta for this virtual presentation as he discusses the long and tense relationship between two of Virginia’... Read More

Independence Day at Patrick HenryIndependence Day at Patrick Henry's Red Hill
July 04, 2025 - July 04, 2025
Charlotte County

Would you like to experience Independence Day at the final home of Virginia’s first governor? Come spend this July 4th at the “garden spot of the ... Read More

In The News

Tim Kaine: 250 years later, the Virginia flag still warns usabout tyranny

Tim Kaine: 250 years later, the Virginia flag still warns usabout tyranny

March 31, 2025
Richmond Times-Dispatch

Liberty or death' wasn't Patrick Henry's most important advice for Americans

Liberty or death’ wasn’t Patrick Henry’s most important advice for Americans

March 28, 2025
Washington Post

Revisit Timeless Landmarks in Richmond

Revisit Timeless Landmarks in Richmond

March 25, 2025
Garden & Gun

Williams: Liberty or Death? It’s Up To Us

March 26, 2025
Richmond Times-Dispatch

Reporter’s Notebook: A Founding Father’s fears about presidential tyranny

March 25, 2025
CBS Evening News

Experience the legacy of liberty at this landmark exhibition

Experience the legacy of liberty at this landmark exhibition

March 25, 2025
RIC Today

Youngkin dodges anti-DOGE protesters outside Virginia church

Youngkin dodges anti-DOGE protesters outside Virginia church

March 24, 2025
Fox News

'Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!' Patrick Henry's Rallying Cry for Freedom Turns 250

‘Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!’ Patrick Henry’s Rallying Cry for Freedom Turns 250

March 24, 2025
CBN

Ken Burns reflects on his FOMO after watching Patrick Henry speech reenactment

Ken Burns reflects on his FOMO after watching Patrick Henry speech reenactment

March 24, 2025
The Richmonder

‘Give me liberty or give me death’ turns 250. Here’s what it meant in 1775

‘Give me liberty or give me death’ turns 250. Here’s what it meant in 1775

March 23, 2025
Associated Press

Youngkin greeted by protestors at recreation of Patrick Henry’s famous speech

Youngkin greeted by protestors at recreation of Patrick Henry’s famous speech

March 23, 2025
RadioIQ

250 years since ‘Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death’ speech

March 23, 2025
Times Dispatch

Demonstrators rally at site of Patrick Henry’s ‘Liberty or Death’ speech

Demonstrators rally at site of Patrick Henry’s ‘Liberty or Death’ speech

March 23, 2025
WRIC-TV

Give Me Liberty!

Give Me Liberty!

March 23, 2025
Epoch Times

Special Edition The Revolutionary Shore: Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!

Special Edition The Revolutionary Shore: Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!

March 23, 2025
WESR-FM

Virginia Museum Kicks Off America’s 250th

Virginia Museum Kicks Off America’s 250th

March 23, 2025
The American Conservative

Did Patrick Henry really say 'Give me liberty or give me death'? Maybe not.

Did Patrick Henry really say ‘Give me liberty or give me death’? Maybe not.

March 21, 2025
The Washington Post

‘It Is What We Expect of You’

‘It Is What We Expect of You’

March 21, 2025
Richmond Magazine

Patrick Henry's 'Liberty or Death' speech turns 250 on Sunday

Patrick Henry’s ‘Liberty or Death’ speech turns 250 on Sunday

March 19, 2025
Axios Richmond

Patrick Henry’s words have echoed through the centuries, and around the world

Patrick Henry’s words have echoed through the centuries, and around the world

March 18, 2025
Cardinal News

Patrick Henry’s ‘Give me liberty or give me death!’ speech celebrates its 250th anniversary

Patrick Henry’s ‘Give me liberty or give me death!’ speech celebrates its 250th anniversary

March 18, 2025
Cardinal News

Dispatch from 1775: Spurred on by Patrick Henry, Virginia votes to arm itself for war

Dispatch from 1775: Spurred on by Patrick Henry, Virginia votes to arm itself for war

March 18, 2025
Cardinal News

Ken Burns brings ‘The American Revolution’ to Richmond

Ken Burns brings ‘The American Revolution’ to Richmond

March 20, 2025
Richmond Free Press

Travel: Discovering America as she turns 250

Travel: Discovering America as she turns 250

March 9, 2025
The Christian Post

VPM, filmmaker Ken Burns to host special docuseries preview at Altria Theater

VPM, filmmaker Ken Burns to host special docuseries preview at Altria Theater

February 12, 2025
ABC8 News

Program

PROGRAM


Location

Historic St. John’s Church
2401 East Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23223