Washington crossing the Delaware

This famous photo depicts George Washinton's army crossing the river from PA to Trenton on Christmas Day 1776. In the book Washington's Crossing by David Fischer it is stated: "No single day in history was more decisive for the creation of the United States than Christmas 1776." Washington's Army had been experiencing nothing but defeat as it kept retreating to the south from New York City. Many had deserted from the army and it was apparent that the British forces were about to wipe out this young struggling democracy. It was a cold and stormy night--this Christmas 1776--the men were in tatters and many with bleeding feet. But this suprise move, catching the British off-guard as they were celebrating Christmas, and the ensuing battle at Princeton changed the course of history. All of this was brought home to me in a very forceful way as I listened to Woody Cozad, featured speaker at today's Mayor's Prayer Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center.