A Nation Born from Words

Long before muskets fired at Lexington and Concord, a war of ideas was underway in the hearts and minds of the American people. "We Hold These Truths: A Revolutionary War of Words" brings that battle to life through powerful readings of the era’s most pivotal speeches, pamphlets, petitions, and declarations.

This unique presentation weaves together voices from both sides of the conflict, including:

• The Olive Branch Petition, the colonies' final plea for peace

• King George III’s Proclamation, declaring the colonies in open rebellion

• Excerpts from Common Sense by Thomas Paine and Plain Truth, a Loyalist rebuttal

• Patrick Henry’s electrifying “Give me liberty or give me death” 

• Thomas Jefferson’s deleted condemnation of the slave trade

• And the timeless words of the Declaration of Independence itself

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"We Hold These Truths" - a readers theater presentation -  runs 50 minutes, but shorter versions are available.