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George Washington stands in a crowded rowboat pushing through river ice as a soldier raises the flag

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Surprise Attack!

George Washington kept America’s fight for freedom alive 250 years ago.

December 7, 2026
By Ellen Song
What You Need to Know About the American Revolution
Watch a video to learn more about how the United States came to be.

Snow blew through the air. It was Christmas night in 1776. But a group of American soldiers weren’t feeling very merry. They nervously stood near the half-frozen Delaware River.

The soldiers were fighting in the American Revolution. The war had begun in 1775. Back then, America was made up of 13 Colonies ruled by Great Britain. The colonists were battling the British to win their freedom.

General George Washington led the American army. On December 25, 1776, he was getting ready to launch a sneak attack. If he failed, the war might be lost.

A Daring Plan

Defeating the British wouldn’t be easy. After all, its army was one of the strongest in the world. Most American soldiers were inexperienced. Many had been farmers or shopkeepers.

By late 1776, the colonists had suffered many losses. The soldiers were tired. Their morale was low.

Washington knew he had to act fast. Many of his soldiers had agreed to fight only until the end of the year. He needed a big victory to inspire his men to stay.

So Washington organized a surprise attack on enemy forces in Trenton, New Jersey. He planned to sneak across the Delaware River to get there.

Late on December 25, Washington and his men climbed into their boats. They loaded 50 horses and 18 cannons.

The soldiers slowly made their way across the icy river. Eventually, they arrived in Trenton. They took the enemy by surprise. The Americans won the battle in less than two hours!

The Road Ahead

The victory in Trenton lifted the colonists’ spirits. The war lasted nearly seven more years. But Washington’s plan had paid off. Many of his men stayed in the army. And he showed the colonists that freedom was within reach.

What’s Wrong in This Painting?

This famous painting shows Washington and his men crossing the Delaware River. Here are a few details that differ from real life.

Album/Alamy Stock Photo
  1. The crossing happened at night, so the sun wouldn’t have been shining.
  2. If Washington had tried to stand like this during the stormy crossing, he likely would have fallen into the water!
  3. The boats used in the real crossing were much larger than these. Each one could carry dozens of soldiers.

1. What is morale? Based on the article, why was the morale of the American soldiers low in much of December of 1776?

2. Why did Washington’s army cross the Delaware River into New Jersey?

3. What might be another good title for the article? Explain.

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