It's 'Liberty or Death' for Independence Day

Patrick Henry's impassioned plea at the second Virginia Convention of 1775, "Give me liberty or give me death," defined the American Revolution. 

The one-hour docu-drama LIBERTY OR DEATH captures this seminal moment in American history by balancing experts' commentary on the events preceding the second Virginia Convention with dramatic re-enactments of the historic moments that followed. Rhode Island PBS airs LIBERTY OR DEATH Thursday, July 2 at 8 p.m.

Actors portraying founding fathers George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and other delegates bring the convention to life as another character, convention clerk John Tazwell, narrates the unfolding action. Historians also explain the lasting significance of the convention and Henry's stirring speech.