232 years ago this morning, George Washington and his Continental army won the Battle of Trenton, effectively turning the tide of the American Revolution and putting us on the road to independence.
From the last week of August to the last week of December, the year 1776 had been as dark a time as those devoted to the American cause had ever known -- indeed, as dark a time as any in the history of the country. And suddenly, miraculously it seemed, that had changed because of a small band of determined men and their leader.
A century later, Sir George Otto Trevelyan would write in a classic study of the American Revolution, "It may be doubted whether so small a number of men ever employed so short a space of time with greater and more lasting effects upon the history of the world."
(from pg 291 in 1776)
I couldn't be prouder to think that 232 years ago, bedraggled and freezing men were fighting to establish the wonderful country I now live in. And were paid $6 per month for the pleasure.
We owe them so much.
Posted by Sarah at December 26, 2007 10:38 AM | TrackBackThe first Christmas we spent in Jersey we attended the Washington Crossing the Delaware re-enactment. That was awesome.
And a few weeks later, we went to the Barracks Museum in Trenton. I have never in my life seen more knowledgeable docents - even my kids were transfixed.
Posted by: airforcewife at December 26, 2007 12:52 PM