Liberty or Empire?

225 years ago, 168 Virginia delegates met in Richmond to debate the merits, and decide the fate, of the US Constitution. Although only nine states were needed to start the new government, if Virginia held out many doubted it would work. Edmund Randolph and James Madison spoke fiercely for the document but the ever formidable Patrick Henry thundered against it. On September 21, interpreters will relive the drama for us from the actual minutes of the debate. You will never again hear oratory like this in American politics.