Christmastime is generally spent celebrating the holiday season with family and friends, but in years past, events that took place on Christmas Day left an indelible mark on American history. Here are the top five defining moments.
1776 – Washington Crosses The Delaware
After a series of defeats that had soldiers deserting the cause in droves, the Continental Army stood on the verge of losing the Revolutionary War. On Christmas night, its desperate commander, General George Washington, ferried 2,400 troops across the frozen Delaware River, bringing them to the outskirts of Trenton, New Jersey, which was being held by drunk Hessian mercenaries. Washington launched a devastating surprise attack in the early morning hours of Dec. 26 that would lead to a decisive victory and change the course of history.
1836 – Alabama Declares Christmas A Legal Holiday
The 22nd state became the first in the nation to officially recognize Christmas as a holiday, which wouldn't become federally acknowledged as a public holiday until 1870. The last state to come on board this movement was Oklahoma when it joined the Union in 1907.
1896 – “Stars And Stripes Forever” Is Written
John Philip Sousa, legendary director of the United States Marine Band, wrote “Stars and Stripes Forever” on Christmas Day 1896 during a return voyage from Europe across the desolate Atlantic Ocean. His homesickness inspired the march, which became the official National March of the United States of America in 1987.
1944 – General Patton Prays For Deliverance
As Gen. George S. Patton planned his counterattack to relieve U.S. forces in the Battle of the Bulge, wintry weather continued to hammer Northwest Europe, threatening his timetable. Patton ordered James H. O'Neill, the head chaplain of the Third Army, to deliver a prayer for temperate weather. O'Neill did as he was told and the skies miraculously cleared for six straight days, allowing America to deliver a knockout blow to Nazi Germany.
1968 – Apollo 8 Orbits The Moon
In one of the most-watched events in TV history, the astronauts of Apollo 8 became the first men to orbit the moon and view the Earth from the celestial body's dark side on Christmas Eve. As the nation watched with rapt attention, astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders read from the Book of Genesis. They finished their oration with the now-famous line: “Merry Christmas and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth.”
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