3. Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware (1776)
On the night of December 25-26, 1776, General George Washington led approximately 2,400 Continental Army troops across the ice-filled Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. This daring maneuver aimed to surprise the Hessian garrison in Trenton, New Jersey. Despite treacherous conditions, the army successfully attacked the Hessians at dawn, capturing nearly 1,000 soldiers and boosting American morale. This pivotal victory marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War, demonstrating the Continental Army’s resilience and strategic prowess (history.com).
