On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
To kick off this countdown, let's take a look at a significant moment in American history.
1776 was a watershed year in American History.
On July 4th, the colonies had declared independence from Britain. And so the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783) continued.
By December 1776, the prospects of victory for the Continental Army seemed remote. The British had driven General Washington from New York to retreat to Pennsylvania. The annual enlistments of American soldiers were expiring at the end of the year, and funds and morale were low. If there was ever a need for a Christmas miracle, it was needed in 1776.
In this bleak setting on Christmas Day, General Washington made a daring move to attack the enemy, crossing the Delaware River into New Jersey. The day after Christmas, Washington caught the Hessians by surprise and won the Battle of Trenton. That victory boosted the morale of the Continentals and spurred the troops to continue fighting and eventually win the war.
By December 1776, the prospects of victory for the Continental Army seemed remote. The British had driven General Washington from New York to retreat to Pennsylvania. The annual enlistments of American soldiers were expiring at the end of the year, and funds and morale were low. If there was ever a need for a Christmas miracle, it was needed in 1776.
In this bleak setting on Christmas Day, General Washington made a daring move to attack the enemy, crossing the Delaware River into New Jersey. The day after Christmas, Washington caught the Hessians by surprise and won the Battle of Trenton. That victory boosted the morale of the Continentals and spurred the troops to continue fighting and eventually win the war.
During the darkest days of the American Revolution, George Washington made a bold move on Christmas Day in 1776 by crossing the Delaware River.
https://youtu.be/Zos9-SWCX9A?si=Nfyf7D31krlgUa27
For our first American Christmas in 1776, we got a priceless present from our founding fathers and mothers - Freedom!
Likewise, on the first Christmas, which we celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God, we can receive the ultimate gift of Freedom:
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
John 8:36 KJV
America's 250th: America 250 Years in the Making
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For other posts on this thread, search:
America 250
America's Story
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Photo: crossing the delaware/wikipedia
