Give Me Liberty!

250 years ago today, Patrick Henry took the floor of the Virginia Convention. Up for debate was Virginia's response to the ongoing crisis with the mother country, Great Britain. In particular, should the colonists of Virginia form a separate militia to defend against British regular forces?

Henry delivered a rousing speech. According to a later reconstruction, he ended with the famous words, "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Historians are not sure if those were his exact words. Nevertheless, the sentiment swept through the Convention. Virginia agreed to form the militias to defend its liberties.

USA 250

Welcome to my blog celebrating the semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of American independence.

I was a kid during the Bicentennial, which I remember fondly.

At the time, people made a big deal out of it. There were public service announcements - Bicentennial Moments - that taught the history of the Revolution and the Declaration. They started years before 1976, leading up to that July 4th. People painted fire hydrants like Revolutionary War soldiers. There was a buzz.

As we approach the US's 250 birthday, I don't sense the same buzz. Pity. The Bicentennial helped bring us together as a nation during trying times (Nixon's resignation and Vietnam being current events). Therefore, I'm starting this blog to start my own celebration. I hope you join me.