Washington’s Crossing

David Hackett Fischer's book, Washington's Crossing, is a detailed study of a pivotal moment in the American Revolution. The work focuses on General George Washington's daring crossing of the Delaware River on the night of December 25, 1776. Despite a severe snowstorm, Washington led 2,400 colonial troops across the river to capture 1,000 Hessian mercenaries in Trenton, New Jersey. This strategic maneuver and subsequent victory significantly boosted the morale of the Continental Army. The event is commemorated by Washington Crossing State Park on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the river. Fischer's book received the Pulitzer Prize for history in 2005.12