Historians Prepare To Mark Crossing Of The Delaware

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some historians are re-enacting an important moment in U.S. history this holiday.

It was Christmas Day, 1776. A Nor'Easter blew over the Delaware River as General George Washington prepared his troops for a pivotal battle in the fight for independence, WCBS 880's Monica Miller reported.

Listen to Historians Prepare To Mark Crossing Of The Delaware

The man who plays the lead role in the annual re-enactment is John Godzieba.

"It's an honor to portray Washington at that historic location doing it, crossing the same way he did; similar style boats," he said.

It's Godzieba's sixth year playing Washington and he has done more than 20 crossings.

"On Christmas Day you're going to get a tremendous crowd," he said. "They come to this crossing for generations to see a historically accurate portrayal of the crossing as possible."

The annual tradition has gone on for almost 70 years.

Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com: