George Washington’s Surprise Attack on Christmas Day, 1776
Tuesday Tidbit 12/16/2025
By late 1776, having suffered a series of defeats and a drop in his troops’ morale during the American Revolutionary War, George Washington was desperate for a victory. Early on Christmas morning, he guided 24,000 men across the Delaware River into New Jersey where German soldiers held the city of Trenton.
Reaching the far side of the half-frozen river, Washington’s troops attacked the surprised Germans and took the city. However, there weren’t enough of them to hold it, so Washington and his men crossed back over the river the following day.
Washington’s victory at the Battle of Trenton (December 26, 1776) was a major turning point, revitalizing the American Revolution by boosting morale, inspiring soldiers to re-enlist, and proving the Continental Army could win.
The infamous painting was by German-American artist Emanuel Leutze in 1851.