The British Parliament had passed the Stamp Act in March 1765, imposing a tax on all paper goods in the American colonies. The act was unpopular in the colonies and led to protests and demonstrations.
In Virginia, Patrick Henry introduced a series of resolutions condemning the act and calling for its repeal. His “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech, delivered during the debate over the resolutions, is considered one of the most powerful and influential speeches in American history.
In it, Henry argued that the Stamp Act was a violation of the colonists' constitutional rights. He declared that the colonists had the right to be taxed only by their own representatives, and that the Stamp Act was therefore an infringement on their liberty.
Henry's speech was a passionate defense of colonial rights and helped to rally support for the cause of independence. The resolutions he introduced were adopted by the House of Burgesses, and Virginia became the first colony to openly defy British authority.
The Stamp Act was eventually repealed in 1766, but the events of 1765 helped to fuel the growing movement for independence in the American colonies.