Great men and women are behind every accomplishment that we, as Americans, have ever achieved. Those Americans have fought, grieved, and sacrificed everything to get us where we are today. But fighting isn’t everything. Every great idea needs supporters, and these great American men and women have to convince those around them that theirs is a worthy mission. When Patrick Henry exclaimed “Give me liberty, or give me death!” on March 23, 1775 at St. John's Church in Richmond, VA, he didn’t just show his own passion. With his words, he motivated those at the Second Virginia Convention that independence was worth fighting—and dying—for.
Here are other quotes from Americans who knew what it meant to be American.