Newly Discovered Slogans of the American Revolution

PHILADELPHIA—Historians reported this week that documents uncovered in the cellar of a local home may fundamentally change our understanding of our nation’s founding.

Every child in the United States learns from birth of Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty, or give me death!” freedom cry. The caricature of disgruntled colonists marching in the streets and chanting “No taxation without representation!” are seared into our collective conscience.

These newly discovered documents, however, are shedding light on a once-forgotten part of our heritage. They contain a list of slogans that appear to have been under consideration for use in the fight against the British crown. Among the beautifully penned slogans were the following:

• “Fight for 15 shillings!”
• “More taxation for free education!”
• “For life, liberty, and a single-payer universal healthcare system!”
• “Henceforth, there shall be no room, for King George within my womb!”
• “Make ready your muskets and your knives! Demand equal pay now for your wives!”
• “Thou dost deserve 12 weeks of paid family leave upon the birth of each of your 17 children!”
• “Give me liberty, or anything else I desire!”
• “Declare American dependence now!”
• “Arm thyselves against Big Pharma!”
• “Down with King George! Give us an overbearing federal government instead!”
• “Fight to be more like Europe!”