America250 Documentary Film Series
"Liberty or Death"
Following the French and Indian War, England attempted to tax American colonies to fund the war debt and to pay for their future defense. The colonies protested and ardently resisted. At stake was the right to self-government and taxation with representation. In Virginia, Patrick Henry was the leading statesmen in defending the rights of the colonists against British tyranny. His impassioned and eloquent speeches against the British Parliament and the Stamp Act rattled complacent gentry, stirred others to the cause and resonated throughout the colonies. At the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775, held at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia, Henry proposed a provocative resolution to arm a militia to put the colony into a state of defense. Henry predicted that "the next gale that blows form the North will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms." Less than three weeks later, shots were fired at Lexington and Concord, and the American Revolution had begun. In the same Patrick Henry declared,"...is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." Henry's immortal words spread throughout the colonies and became a rallying cry for the revolution.
May 21 & 26: Ken Burns “The American Revolution: In Order to Be Free”
May 28 & June 2: Ken Burns “The American Revolution: An Asylum for Mankind”
June 4 & 9: Ken Burns “The American Revolution: The Times that Try Men’s Souls”
June 11 & 16: Ken Burns “The American Revolution: Conquer by a Drawn Game”
June 18 & 23: Ken Burns “The American Revolution: The Soul of All America”
June 25 & 30th: Ken Burns “The American Revolution: The Most Sacred Thing”
July 2: Happy 250th Birthday, America Party!
All events will take place at the Downtown Library, 413 SE 4th in Amarillo. Doors will open at 5 PM. Events will start at 5:30 PM and films will be followed by a brief discussion. Events will end by 7 PM. Light refreshments provided.
Partners include: Panhandle PBS, Friends of the Amarillo Public Library, the Amarillo Public Library, as well as:
Amarillo Genealogical Society
Palo Duro Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas
Esther McCrory Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR)
Molly Goodnight Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR)
Panhandle Plains Chapter, National Society Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR)
Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
