Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry’s Virginia Resolves: Bedrock Principles of American Liberty
On his 29th birthday – May 29, 1765 – Patrick Henry helped spark the American Revolution. His Virginia Resolves against the Stamp Act didn’t just defy British rule—they laid down bedrock principles that would become cornerstones of American liberty. The...
Voice of the Revolution: Patrick Henry Born Today in History
Today in history, on May 29, 1736, Patrick Henry was born. Known as “Hot Head” and “The Voice of the Revolution,” Henry was a renowned Virginian whose talents as a lawyer and politician were matchless. Henry had an uncanny penchant for fiery oratory, and used the...
Today in History: Patrick Henry Argues Parson’s Cause Court Case
On this date in 1763, Patrick Henry successfully argued a court case now known as the “Parson’s Cause.” The debate foreshadowed future conflicts between the colonies and Great Britain over colonial sovereignty and served as an early lesson in the...
Patrick Henry’s Warning on “Implied Authority”
Patrick Henry’s impassioned remarks during the final days of the Virginia Ratifying Convention were the culmination of week-long arguments between skeptics of the proposed Constitution and its supporters, such as James Madison. In modern context, it is easy at first...