Today in 1765, on his 29th birthday, Patrick Henry addressed the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg, wherein he famously expressed his opposition to British Parliament’s Stamp Act.

This led (four years later) to the Virginia Resolves, declaring that citizens were subject to taxation only by an assembly of representatives elected by the people.

Upon shouts of treason for his protest against Britain’s unfair taxes, Henry responded, “If this be treason, make the most of it.”

Art: Patrick Henry in the House of Burgesses by Peter F. Rothermel, currently in the collection of the Patrick Henry National Memorial in Brookneal, Virginia