Liberty or Death. When Patrick Henry yelled, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" at the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, he swung the balance of the convention toward passing a war resolution to raise a militia completely independent of royal authority. It was the point of no return. A quintessential act of organized insurrection that meant war, and the gravest of consequences for all those yelling "yay!" in support. Quite plainly, liberty or death.

According to Edmund Randolph, the convention sat in profound silence for several minutes after Henry's speech ended. Chief Justice John Marshall's father, Thomas Marshal told his son later that the speech was "one of the boldest, vehement, and animated pieces of eloquence that had ever been delivered."

Edward Carrington, listening by a window outside, was so affected by the speech that he requested to be buried there, and in 1810, he got his wish.

Ultimately, Henry's speech swayed the convention, and it was resolved that the colony be "put into a posture of defense: and that Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Robert Carter Nicholas, Benjamin Harrison, Lemuel Riddick, George Washington, Adam Stephen, Andrew Lewis, William Christian, Edmund Pendleton, Thomas Jefferson, and Isaac Zane, Esquires, be a committee to prepare a plan for the embodying arming and disciplining such a number of men as may be sufficient for that purpose."

In essence, it was on.

Embroidered on our Maniacs Pullover Hoodies. Fan favorite medium-weight pullovers built to last and stitched with attention to detail. You'll love the 3-panel hood, sideseam construction, 100% cotton face soft-as-hell outer line with super-soft 65-35 fleece inner. Stitched domestically by our liberty ladies and shipped to your doorstep. Layer up year-round in this cozy, casual style. With a front pocket and snug hood, it doesn’t get much better than this.

• 100% cotton face
• 65% ring-spun cotton, 35% polyester
• Front pouch pocket
• Self-fabric patch on the back
• Matching flat drawstrings
• 3-panel hood
• Embroidered in the USA

Size guide