Crossing the Delaware River 1776 to 2013

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

A boat chugs along the Delaware River on its way from Pennsylvania to New Jersey during the 61st annual re-enactment of Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river, the trek that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War, in Washington Crossing, N.J., on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013. During the crossing 234 years ago, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river, and the troops marched eight miles downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

George Washington has made his annual Christmas Day ride across the Delaware River.

Washington's daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river turned the tide of the Revolutionary War. The 61st reenactment of it was staged Wednesday.

Hundreds of people gather each year to hear Washington's stand-in deliver stirring words to the troops and watch three boats make the crossing from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.

During the original crossing, boats ferried 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons across the river. The troops marched 8 miles (13 kilometres) downriver before battling Hessian mercenaries in the streets of Trenton.

Thirty Hessians were killed. Two Continental soldiers froze to death on the march, but none died in battle.