Historical eventDecember 261776

American Revolutionary War

American Revolutionary War: George Washington led a Continental Army column across the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack against Hessian forces at the Battle of Trenton (painting shown).

250th anniversary in 2026

Everything on December 26Original source

In context

When
Thursday, December 26 1776250 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
18th century · 1770s
Anniversary
250th in 2026
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

Russia, Greece and some other countries used the Julian calendar into the early 20th century, so local records may show a date up to 13 days earlier.

At a glance

Dates: From 1776.

What happened

American Revolutionary War: George Washington led a Continental Army column across the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack against Hessian forces at the Battle of Trenton (painting shown).

December 26 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1776American Revolutionary War
  2. 20032003 Bam earthquake
  3. 2004Orange Revolution
  4. 20042004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
  5. 20062006 Hengchun earthquakes
  6. 2012High-speed rail in China
  7. 2013Yakovlev Corporation
  8. 20152015 Garland tornado
  9. 20212021 Garland shooting
  10. 2025Israel
  11. 2025Israel–Somaliland relations

Also in 1776

  • September 11Staten Island Peace ConferenceBritish and American leaders held a peace conference on Staten Island, New York, in the hopes of bringing an end to the nascent American…
  • September 15American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War: British forces made an unopposed amphibious landing at Kips Bay on Manhattan, the American defenders having f…
  • September 16American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War: American colonists defeated British troops at the Battle of Harlem Heights on the island of Manhattan.
  • May 4American RevolutionAmerican Revolution: The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations became the first of the Thirteen Colonies to renounce its alle…
  • November 16American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War: Fort Washington on Manhattan was captured from the Patriots by British and Hessian units.
  • July 8United States Declaration of IndependenceThe United States Declaration of Independence received its first formal public reading, in Philadelphia.
  • June 8American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War: British forces defeated the Continental Army at the Battle of Trois-Rivières, the last battle of the American…
  • August 27William Howe, 5th Viscount HoweBritish forces led by William Howe defeated the Continental Army under George Washington at the Battle of Long Island, the largest battle…

Everything we record for 1776 →

Sources

Cite this page

“American Revolutionary War”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/american-revolutionary-war-1776-december-26, accessed October 27, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did American Revolutionary War happen?

December 26 1776 — 250 years ago, on a Thursday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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