The Battle of Trenton gave the Continental Army a major victory on December 26, 1776, during the revolutionary era honored by America250.
George Washington led Continental troops across the Delaware River during the night of December 25–26, 1776. At dawn, the army attacked the Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey. The Americans captured most of the garrison and seized military supplies, while the Continental Army suffered very few deaths in the fighting.
The victory came at a critical moment. The Continental Army had experienced defeats around New York, enlistments were expiring, and morale was low. The success at Trenton helped demonstrate that Washington’s army could still win and encouraged further resistance.
Trenton is often linked with the Battle of Princeton, fought about a week later on January 3, 1777. They were separate engagements in the New Jersey campaign. The famous crossing of the Delaware preceded Trenton, not Princeton, and the painting depicting it was created decades after the event.