The Night That Saved the Revolution

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service.

Thomas Paine · The Crisis · December 1776

1776

Battle of Trenton

1776

Washington Crosses the Delaware

1777

Battle of Princeton

1776

Hessian Surrender at Trenton

Trenton

NJ · American Revolution

Washington's Christmas 1776 crossing of the Delaware and surprise attack on Trenton revived a dying cause.

Victory or Death

20

Events

6

Stories

6

Connections

December 26, 1776

The Delaware Crossing

2,400 men. A frozen river. Nine miles in sleet. And then — Trenton.

Notable

63.3/100

15People20Events6Stories

**Trenton: The Turning Point That Saved a Revolution**

PEOPLE

Johann Rall

Hessian Colonel, Garrison Commander

Nathanael Greene

Continental Army General, Division Commander

George Washington

Commander-in-Chief, Continental Army General, Future President

Henry Knox

Continental Army Officer, Chief of Artillery

KEY EVENTS

Full Timeline →

Battle of Trenton

Dec 1776

Washington Crosses the Delaware

Dec 1776

Battle of Princeton

Jan 1777

Hessian Surrender at Trenton

Dec 1776

Night March from Trenton to Princeton

Jan 1777

Washington's Re-enlistment Appeal

Dec 1776

PLACES TO VISIT

Old Barracks Museum

Washington Crossing State Park (New Jersey)

Washington Crossing Historic Park (Pennsylvania)

Trenton Battle Monument

STORIES

All Stories →

HISTORICAL VOICE

Thunder on King Street

I was in the cellar when the shooting started. The sound of muskets woke us before dawn on December 26 — sharp cracks in the cold air, then the deeper boom of cannon. My mother pulled me and my brothe...

HISTORICAL VOICE

Ice, Wind, and the Delaware

The river was a nightmare. I had seen heavy seas off the Grand Banks and ice in Marblehead Harbor in the worst winters, but the Delaware on Christmas night 1776 was something else entirely. The curren...

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Plan Your Visit

Upcoming Events

Dec

25

reenactment

Washington Crossing the Delaware Reenactment

Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing, PA to Washington Crossing State Park, Titusville, NJ

Jul

4

exhibition

Old Barracks Museum Colonial Life Programs and Heritage Days

Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ

Dec

25

festival

Patriots Week Trenton

Multiple venues including Old Barracks Museum, Trenton Battle Monument, Trenton War Memorial, and Mill Hill Park, Trenton, NJ

View All Events for Trenton

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