Patrick Henry
A forgotten American for manygenerations, Patrick Henry was in truth our first national hero. His immortalwords
"Give me liberty or giveme death!"
characterized the Americanspirit for his time and for ours.
John Randolph said simply:"Patrick Henry was the greatest orator who ever lived."
He was the most powerful politicalfigure in Colonial Virginia. He was elected first Governor of Virginia andserved five terms.
His oratory and leadershipinsured inclusion of the Bill of Rights as part of the Constitution of theUnited States.
In failing health, he declinedappointments as Washington's Secretary of State and Chief Justice of theUnited States Supreme Court.
It was not until 1986 thatthe people of the United States honored him with the establishment of anational memorial at his last home and burial place: Red Hill, in CharlotteCounty near Brookneal, Virginia.
Patrick Henry, VirginiaPatriot
VHS 50 min.
The original PBS broadcast
As a youth, Patrick wasable
to recite the Sunday sermons
to his mother as they rodeback
on the way home from church.
After only a few monthsstudy
he passed the Virginiabar, and,
as a young lawyer, wona stunning
victory for the peoplevs King George
in the famous Hanover Courthouse
trial. A popular hero overnight,
he was repeatedly electedto the
House of Burgesses wherehis
powerful oratory inspiredand
helped define the characterof
the struggle for Colonialindependence.
In 1776, he was electedGovernor
of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
His leadership throughoutthe
Revolutionary war was instrumental
in the ultimate acheivementof
self-government by the
Colonies.
His arguments in the Virginia
debate over Ratificationwere
crucial to the inclusionof a
Bill of Rights as partof the new
Constitution of the UnitedStates.
His long and colorful career
as a lawyer for the people,
devoted family man, andvisionary
Founding Father makes hisone
of the great untold storiesin
American Colonial History.
Also available as:
Patrick Henry's Fight
for Individual Rights
VHS 30 min
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Film Festival Documentaries:
The Last Real Circus ...............Mr. Jefferson's Rotunda
Patrick Henry,Virginia Patriot
Patrick Henry'sFight for Individual Rights
The Brews Brothers Start YouUp
