Remembering a Critical American Victory While Contemplating My New Year’s Resolutions
- gregorymaness
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 3
Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze
The one great thing about failed New Year’s resolutions is that you can dust them off and try again in the upcoming New Year (and you can admittedly also recommit to a resolution during the current year if you’re missing the mark). While I didn’t complete one of my two purchased The Great Courses Plus courses in 2025 as planned, I did finish viewing the course on the American Revolution and I watched parts of two additional courses that I hope to complete in 2026. One is on the history of the United States Navy and the other is on the High Middle Ages. Along with my previously purchased course on the history of baseball, I expect to be kept busy pursuing knowledge in 2026.
Yesterday I came across an educational and entertaining video from The Fat Electrician YouTube channel on the first battle in George Washington’s bold winter offensive of 1776-1777, the Battle of Trenton. While I didn’t get to watch the video in its entirety before going out for dinner last night, I fully expect to finish watching it later today.
The Battle of Trenton was a pivotal battle in the American Revolutionary War. I am an American in no small part due to the success of Washington’s 1776-1777 winter offensive in New Jersey. My The Great Courses Plus course on the American Revolution covered the offensive in some detail, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying The Fat Electrician’s video on the Battle of Trenton.
As you enjoy your New Year’s Day, perhaps sitting by the fire and enjoying a piping hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate, you might enjoy learning about the brave American soldiers that followed General Washington and his officers in the bitter cold across the Delaware River on Christmas into New Jersey to fight German mercenaries on the day after Christmas. I have included the link to the video below, as well as a link to The Great Courses Plus website. The Great Courses Plus offers courses taught by renowned college and university professors. You can purchase individual courses or you can purchase a subscription. I am currently a subscriber and I can watch both my previously purchased content and the additional content available to subscribers online or via the app. They offer a variety of courses on a variety of subjects. If you’re looking to learn something new in 2026, you might want to give The Great Courses Plus a try.
George Washington didn’t allow early Patriot defeats to culminate in a defeat of the American cause. Failed New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be final either. Feel free to dust yourself and your resolutions off and give them another try if they’re important to you. Happy New Year! 🥳🎉🍾🎈
“Victory Or Death - George Washington's Last Stand”
“The American Revolution”
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