George Washington reenactors make Christmas crossing of the Delaware River
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George Washington and his troops have made their annual Christmas Day trip across the Delaware River.
The re-enactors crossed the river between Pennsylvania and New Jersey on a 65-degree day Friday, considerably warmer than the actual crossing which took place on an ice-choked river during a snowstorm.
Revolutionary War re-enactor Bill Strunk points his cane towards New Jersey as fog covers the river before the re-enactment of Washington crossing the Delaware River, Friday, Dec. 25, 2015, in Washington Crossing, Pa. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)
The annual Christmas tradition drew families and fans of history to both sides of the Delaware River for the 63rd annual re-enactment.
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Boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river during the original crossing.Washington's troops marched 8 miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton.
A group of Revolutionary War re-enactors row a Durham boat during the re-enactment of Washington crossing the Delaware River, Friday, Dec. 25, 2015, in Washington Crossing, Pa. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)
Thirty Hessians were killed, and two Continental soldiers froze to death on the march.