for washington's continental army, they were fighting for freedom.is was gonna be a christmas they never forgot. >> ♪ the heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed ♪ ♪ simply wrapped in swaddling-clothes and in a manger laid, and in a manger laid ♪ [ wind howls ] >> as george washington prepares to lead his men in a daring attack across the ice-choked delaware river, a snowstorm rages, only intensifying the mission. >> the weather is brutal, but george washington has energized his troops. for the first time in the war, the continental army is truly on the offensive. the timing is right. washington's men know they have a real chance for a victory. >> gentlemen, synchronize your watches. we must reach trenton simultaneously. godspeed, gentlemen. >> this is the moment where it is truly do-or-die. ice floes are rushing down. pretty soon it's going to be impossible to cross, but they have to take the chance. >> safe travels, your excellency! happy christmas! >> and a happy christmas to you, too. >> we're talking about transporting artille

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♪ >> there are a lot of those who run away and join the continental army of the militia.hat george roughen refers to as leg bell. leg bell is where you run away to the army. it's not an agreement from your owner. there are many who run away and they join. some would remain free, many wouldn't. >> why are you itching for a fight? you read the same words that i read. all men are created equal. isn't that worth fighting for? >> even as jack sisson takes his independence into his own hands, he is still far from free. he needs something to run to. while some africans are being allowed to join patriot milit militias, not everyone agrees with arming the slaves. >> that declaration is just words. they're not meant for us. >> how can you say that? >> an african might assume, yes, this is my revolution. not as slaves but as free men. one of the big questions comes up, what does independence have to do with freedom? they're not necessarily associated. >> what do you see there? >> the boston massacre. >> that's the reason we're fighting. >> no. look again. he's red coats, they're kil

the continental army was barely alive.ch alliance which arnold made possible had done nothing to win the war. it was all falling to pieces. the treason of arnold was a true wake-up call to the american people that this war was theirs to lose. so i'll finish with this from the epilogue. the united states have been created through an act of disloyalty. no matter how eloquently the declaration of independence had attempted to justify the american rebellion the guilt hovered over the circumstances of the founding. arnold change that. by threatening to destroy the newly created part public through some betrayal. he gave this nation of traders the greatest of gifts, the american people had come to revere george washington but a hero alone is not sufficient to bring them together. they had the despise and benedict arnold. they knew what they're fighting for for and against. the story of america's genesis could move beyond and start to focus on the process by which 13 former colonies could become a nation. as arnold had demonstrat

and then the kicker of this had written their price = continental army. he stood up there and said the sermon means it was preached in the summer of 1775. lexington and concord happened. this is the sermon, this is it -- this is how he interprets it. i'm not a theologian. i cannot say with any degree of certainty whether they correctly interpreted galatians 51. i can say his interpretation is an innovative one when you compare it to the entire history of the way the church has interpretative this verse. there are hundreds of examples like that. i can't even fit it all in the book. scripture is being used by politicians. i think we call that continuity. the bible is clearly being used to promote a olitical agenda. in this case the american -- the american revolution. let's not let the tories off the ook. i'm going to read this passage to you. i want you to think about the context of 1775. let every soul be subject to the higher powers. the powers that be are rdained. whosoever resists the power and the ordinance, they shall receive damnation. imagine how a

all week visitors are inskrited to step back in time and explore the continental army and revolution era clothing. >>> also tonight an nbc10 exclusive. a teenaged girl found murdered, her adoptive mother under arrest. now that girl's birth mother is talking about getting justice. >>> and trouble with the transition, the war of words between president obama and president-elect trump. . >>> the birth mother of a teenager in the lehigh valley is speaking out. >> grace packer's remains were found near a dam in liucern county. today grace birth mother is asking for help as police continue to search for her killer. she tells us she was forced to give up grace for a better life. she says she was stunned to learn that the girl's adoptive father had been arrested later pleading guilty to child sex abuse. sarah was reported missing by her adoptive mother who said sarah had run away. the birth mother said sarah learned she was dead back in september when investigators came looking for a dna sample. >> it's the horrible death of a little girl that never should have been. she's never going to see

the continental army crosses the delaware river on christmas day in 1776 to take on the hessians in trentony war. >>> if you're relaxing around the house with the kids, you may have them start to say thank you for their gifts in writing. >> in today's high-tech world, etiquette experts agree that writing and sending thank you notes goes a long way when teaching children about gratitude. if your child can't write yet, the experts say you write the note, but then ask the child to scribble or draw something on the card. or talk them through it. what we're thankful for. >> good life lessons. >> let's turn to chuck bell, chuck, thank you, i'm going to write awe letter. >>> i thought you look like a guy that needed $100,000, so i just gave it to you. >> >> you got that, right? i left it on your desk. >> in the 40s today, not a lot of rain coming our way. but i couldn't rule out a little patch of drizzle from time to time. tomorrow, noticeably milder day and the weather service just issued a wind advisory for the blue ridge and up into the high country. so locations above 2,000 feet could have win

general washington and his continental army face of abominable odds and defeats. supplies and equipment were lacking. every winter was a valley forge. for the states that existed, this commonly and selfish men, jealous men proclaimed washington's cause was worthless and he should ask for negotiated peace. washington has provided the model for all americans, a model of moral stamina. as it had been charted in the declaration of independence, the brave men who served with him no no man's life and fortune was secure without freedom and free institutions. the current struggle has brought us increasingly calamity in the world. this war is a new kind of war, different from all other wars in the past. not only in the methods but in its geography. every island, every sea, every air lane in the world. that is the reason i have asked to spread before you the map of the whole world. follow me in the references for the circling battlelines of this war. many questions i fear remain unanswered tonight, but i know you will realize that i cannot cover everything in one short repo

when george washington resigned his commission in the continental army on december 23rd, 1783, he maden important statement, that we were not going to have a military leader be president of the united states or secretary of war or later secretary of defense. i think that's something that we should uphold. general mattis resigned. he resigned in 2013. he's been a civilian for a number of years. and i think as long as there is that cooling-off period between his service in uniform and his service as a civilian, we ought to give him the benefit of the doubt. he's very capable, and i think he'll do an excellent job. >> i think there are plenty of people who are capable. i think someone who has spent his years on the board of a corporation like general dynamics, which is one of the biggest, most powerful military corporations has not left the military behind. >> we're going to have to leave it there. thank you both for joining us. we really appreciate it. >> thank you. >> thank you. >>> coming up -- >> i wondered, what the hell was he trying to prove? >> the guy who donald trump hates so mu

he resigned his commission as commander of the continental army to become president.that was one -- >> general mattis resigned three years ago. >> after world war ii, congress decided they wanted a separation. that's been in place with one exception, george marshal in the '50s. it's a very important point. it's not just the secretary of defense, it's all the secretary army, navy, air force, all those secretaries are also -- they're also civilian. so there's an important dichotomy here, and we really ought to be very careful about this. which way i'm going to go on this, i'm going to go to the hearings, but up front, i am concerned and i suspect all of congress should be concerned. it's not democrat, republican, but about civilian control of the most awesome military machine in the world. >> before he could be confirmed by the senate, both chambers have to pass this legislation of this waiver that would allow him to be considered as the secretary of defense. i assume we'll see what happens down the road. what about -- if he does become the secretary of defense, would y

that small victory wrought by the continental army showed victory was within our reach. the americans were still willing to fight and it rekindled the fire of independence and set the stage for larger victories to follow. today, our struggle is not against an implacable enmity and it will not -- enemy and when i compare military contests with political debates but the principle is the same. by picking a fight and we need this one small step toward fiscal discipline in washington dc, the american people will see that victory over deficits and debt is within our reach, that we can fight and we can win and we can restore limited government at the national level. and so we must fight. [applause] vp-elect pence: republicans must show we are worthy of this moment, equal to the crisis, willing to stop, turn and squarely face of the mountain range of debt that threatens our children's future, squarely face all of those who defend the status quo. if harry reid wants a fight, let's give it to him. [applause] vp-elect pence: democrats in the senate may think they have the advantage

the victory rocked by the -- that small victory wrought by the continental army showed victory was within our reach. the americans were still willing to fight and it rekindled the fire of independence and set the stage for larger victories to follow. today, our struggle is not against an implacable enmity and it will not -- enemy and when i compare military contests with political debates but the principle is the same. by picking a fight and we need this one small step toward fiscal discipline in washington dc, the american people will see that victory over deficits and debt is within our reach, that we can fight and we can win and we can restore limited government at the national level. and so we must fight. [applause] vp-elect pence: republicans must show we are worthy of this moment, equal to the crisis, willing to stop, turn and squarely face of the mountain range of debt that threatens our children's future, squarely face all of those who defend the status quo. if harry reid wants a fight, let's give it to him. [applause] vp-elect pence: democrats in the senate may think they have th

that small victory wrought by the continental army showed victory was within our reach. the americans were still willing to fight. it rekindled the fire of independence and set the stage for larger victories to follow. today, our struggle is not against an implacable enemy and we will not compare military conquest with political debates, but the principle is the same. by picking a fight and we need -- and winning this one small step toward fiscal discipline in washington, dc, the american people will see that victory over deficits and debt is within our reach, that we can fight and we can win and we can restore limited government at the national level. and so we must fight. [applause] rep. pence: republicans must show we are worthy of this moment, equal to the crisis, willing to stop, turn, and squarely face of the mountain range of debt that threatens our children's future, squarely face all of those who defend the status quo. if harry reid wants a fight, let's give it to him. [applause] rep. pence: democrats in the senate may think they have the advantage, but let me a

they were all decked out in continental military uniforms. the armyssed the delaware on december 25th, 1776, to take on the hestians in trenton. >>> spending christmas away from loved ones isn't easy but that's the reality for hundreds of young people training in cape may to be the newest members of the coast guard. thanks to generous folks in south jersey, the recruits were treated to a special christmas. lauren mayk has the story from cumberland county. >> reporter: here at the elk's lodge, the coast guard recruits coming here don't know what's in store for them. a christmas day surprise and celebration. [ applause ] the young recruits have a break from training today, and they're filing in for a party. christmas feast is thanks to volunteers. something else they've been craving. >> what's up? >> reporter: a rare chance to call home. look around the hall and you'll see the cell phones come out. a special treat for the holiday. >> hi, grandma. >> hey, mom. >> i started crying before i even heard her voice. >> reporter: these recruits are from all aro

can stand toe-to-toe with the redcoats, but to defeat the massive british army, the american troops need a leader. the continentalay be impossible. >> [ coughs ] >> my god. [ horse neighs ] this is my army? >> the americans still have the british surrounded in boston, but with dwindling supplies and rampant illness, washington's force grows weaker every day. if the british find out this secret, they could easily wipe out the americans. >> here, you have washington's army willing to die, willing to fight under incredible odds, and they don't have blankets. they don't have guns. they don't have boots. >> not for the last time in american history was a commander given a command without the resources to command it. and that was very much george washington's dilemma. >> congress sends benjamin franklin to meet with the general to assess his needs. but washington has kept his plight secret even from them. >> present arms! >> dr. franklin. >> general washington. from the looks of your strategic position, you have trapped the british in their own mousehole. >> now, if i could only launch an attack. >> well, no gains with

the participants were decked out in continental military uniforms. general washington's actual army the delaware on christmas day 1776 to score a crucial victory in the battle. >>> the brandy wine's siberian tiger is getting ready for a move. zhanna will be heading to the bronx zoo. she'll be considered an ideal candidate for breeding and will be matched with a male tiger. no word yet if she'll be replaced by another tiger. she's only one of 500 siberian tigers worldwide. >>> it was some unexpected holiday cheer for a waitress in arizona who is expecting a baby. a customer was getting a takeout order and left a $900 tip. sarah clark was putting in as many hours as she can with a baby on the way and her fiance, get this, is scheduled to have knee surgery. clark says the customer that she's seen before, pregnant woman, gave her that huge christmas gift. >> i couldn't have asked for anything more right now. it's going to help with bills, with rent, with, you know, being able to spend some more time with my baby. >> the soon-to-be mom will help buy a nice crib for her baby. >>> and we'r

they were decked out in continental military uniforms. general washington's actual armyssed the delaware on christmas day of 1776 to score a crucial victory in the battle of trenton. >>> kwanzaa begins today. the kwanzaa holiday dates back to the 1960s. each day of the celebration carries a core principle. the first day's focus is on unity, followed by self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. kwanzaa is capped off with a feast and thanksgiving. >>> happening today, philadelphia's annual hanukkah parade will roll through the streets of center city, philadelphia. you're looking at last year's event. the parade begins at aikenville this afternoon at 4:00. it will end at independence mall where the world's largest menorah is already lit. you can enjoy music, dancing and treats for the kids. >>> and here's a crossover of kindness. you're looking at some of the 1,000 christmas cookies baked by kindergarteners at the synagogue in northeast philadelphia. they deliver the cookies to hospital workers who had to b

all the delegates can agree upon. >> the second continental congress is facing a totally different strategic situation. do we try to transform this armythe chair recognizes john adams, massachusetts. >> gentlemen, as we convene here in philadelphia, thousands of loosely affiliated volunteers have surrounded the british army at boston. >> mr. president, i hereby propose that this congress adopt this army and appoint as its commander colonel george washington of virginia. >> it's during the 2nd continental congress the america we know begins to take shape. no longer an assembly of independent colonies, all 13 come together to fight a common enemy in the name of liberty. in nominating george washington, john adams identifies in one man the courage, sacrifice and resilience that will define america's identity. but the unanimous election of the commander in chief is a short-lived victory. before george washington can even take control of his army, a devastating battle is already under way at bunker hill. >> your fathers staked their lives on the cause of their country. >>> news is the first draft of history. it is immediate and takes place

army for a time. britishd with fury at mistreatment of american prisoners during the war including his father-in-law, who was also a continental congressmen and had been abused by the british. friend, a scottish someone rush had met while he was in edinburgh died in the battle of princeton, fighting for the british army, he wept for the first time for a victory gained over british troops. even a few years into the fighting, even as an ardent patriot, rush could experience the conflict of the civil war. how do you pick up from a civil war that and with the political separation? ,s soon as the war was over all friends across the atlantic reached out to one another. the correspondence by the unhappy disputes wrote and it american --o an rush was unsure about how to relate to former compatriots. before the united states and protect had signed a final peace treaty, rush wrote to a british friend to ask him to solicit donations for a new college and carlisle, pennsylvania. his friend, richard price, british clergyman who had been supportive of the revolutionary cause replied "no," he would not help raise funds. price hoped, would le