From the Washington’s Crossing National Park web site: “On December 25, 1776, the icy waters of the Delaware River provided the setting for one of the pivotal events of the American Revolution. The Continental Army had little to celebrate that Christmas and seemed beat by hunger and cold.
“After crossing the rough winter river at night, General George Washington and the Continental Army landed at Johnson’s Ferry, at the site now known as Washington Crossing State Park. At 4 am, they began their march to Trenton where they defeated the Hessian troops in an unexpected attack.
“This battle was quickly followed by the Second Battle of Trenton on January 2, 1777, and the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777.”
Every Christmas, at the Washington’s Crossing National Park, there is a reenactment of the historic event. You can visit the Park which is based on the Jersey side, but there also is a satellite park on the Pennsylvania side. It’s an easy drive fromOG east to west.
WORDS OF WISDOM, Courtesy of Judicial Watch; From their 2025 calendar.
GEORGE WASHINGTON: “Truth will ultimately prevail where pains is [sic] taken to bring it to light”
THOMAS JEFFERSON: “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed.”
JOHN ADAMS: “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: “A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. I is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins.”
ALEXANDER HAMILTON: “If it be asked, what is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be, an inviolable respect for the Constitution and laws.”
JERRY DEER “Rally Around the Flag”
This year the reenactment was filmed earlier than Christmas Day, and I believe it can be found on YouTube. I grew up in Bucks County, PA and we are very proud of our Washington’s Crossing State Park. I didn’t realize that there was one on the NJ side! There is a building which houses a copy of the famous painting of the crossing. From what I remember there was also a narration about the painting.