These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
These words from Thomas Paine in his pamphlet “The American Crisis” served as a rallying cry and motivation for George Washington’s troops before the famous crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Day 1776.
The American cause, after several defeats and a dwindling army, was on its last legs when Paine wrote these famous words prior to a huge victory at Trenton for the Patriots. The initial excitement of the early days of the struggle had worn off, and commitment terms were ending for many of the soldiers.
Washington went on to take the victory at Trenton to restore hope, using it to recruit more solders and gain stronger support from a vacillating Continental Congress.
The victory was a huge turning point in the American Revolution. Watch Ken Burns’ documentary “The American Revolution” tonight and tomorrow night on PBS North Carolina for more stories of the victory that changed the world.
To learn more about North Carolina’s struggle for independence and its role in the Revolution, visit nc250.org.
