■ On Dec. 25, 1776, Gen. George Washington crosses the Delaware River with 5,400 Patriot troops, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. Washington’s men quickly overwhelmed the German defenders, who were groggy from the previous evening’s festivities, and by morning the town was surrounded. ■ On Dec. 21, 1891, James Naismith introduces the game of basketball as an activity for bored and unruly students during difficult New England winters. Based on rules he created, the game was tested by 18 students at the International Young Men’s Christian Association Training School in ...