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Revolutionary War History in Richmond |
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Memorial to our Patriot Ancestors History of the Richmond Chapter Revolutionary War History in Richmond
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"Give me liberty or give me death" Reenactments of the Second Virginia Convention The Patrick Henry Committee of St. John’s Church presents historical reenactments at the original location of the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775. Professional actors in 1770s attire portray ten of the “founding fathers” who participated in the animated convention debates culminating in Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. PUBLIC REENACTMENTS The summer season of public reenactments began during America’s Bicentennial and continues to thrill audiences as Richmond’s longest running historical performance. These popular performances occur each Sunday in the summer beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through Labor Day weekend. The Anniversary Reenactment is held on the Sunday in March closest to 23 March, the actual date of Henry’s speech. Each reenactment is preceded by a patriotic music program performed on the rare Adam Stein organ. A voluntary donation is collected at the end of each performance. Reenactments last approximately 45 minutes. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE 1:00 p.m. Free tickets are distributed at
the front door SECOND VIRGINIA CONVENTION In March 1775, the Second Virginia Convention began in St. John's Church in Richmond. The President of the Convention was Peyton Randolph. Among the 120 delegates were Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Other notable delegates were Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Mann Randolph, Richard Bland, Richard Henry Lee, and Francis Lightfoot Lee. Debate centered around the perceived need to raise a militia to resist encroachments on civil rights by the British Government under King George III. Patrick Henry, a delegate from Hanover County, rose in support of a militia, and with his fiery speech (concluding with the words "Give me liberty or give me death!"), swayed the vote. THIRD VIRGINIA CONVENTION The Third Virginia Convention was held at St. John's Church on July 17, 1775 to organize the troops and the war effort of Virginia. George Washington of Fairfax Virginia had been appointed head of the American Army. The delegates acknowledged the debt to Patrick Henry whose wisdom had already begun the arming of the colony, and he was named the first Governor of Virginia.
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