Virginia’s pivotal role in American independence from Patrick Henry to Thomas Jefferson highlighted as the nation prepares for its 250th anniversary in 2026.
—
SixteenmonthsbeforeThomasJeffersoncraftedthepowerfulwordsthatwouldbecomeourDeclarationofIndependence,hesatquietlyinRichmond’sSt.John’sChurch,absorbingtheoratoryofPatrickHenry.Henry’scall,“Givemelibertyorgivemedeath,”ignitedarevolutionaryspiritthatJeffersonwouldlatercaptureonparchment.
AsweapproachJuly4,2026,America’s250thbirthday,Jefferson’swordsresonatewithrenewedimportance:“Weholdthesetruthstobeself-evident,thatallmenarecreatedequal,thattheyareendowedbytheirCreatorwithcertainunalienablerights,thatamongthesearelife,libertyandthepursuitofhappiness.”Thesewordsmarkthebeginningofournation.Thesewordsinspiredmenandwomen,enslavedandfree,nativeandimmigrant.Thesewordschangedtheworldforever.Everymovementforhumandignity,equality,andlibertyfromthenon,hereandineverycorneroftheearth,haslookedtothesewordsfori
