Sometimes the outcome of a war isn’t the result of brilliant strategy or sharp foresight, but of random chance and sheer luck. A stroke of fortune could save a general’s reputation—or even preserve the existence of an entire nation. From sudden fog banks to last-minute blunders by the enemy, this list explores 20 times luck changed the course of history.
#1: George Washington at the Delaware (1776)
The Continental Army’s desperate Christmas night crossing of the Delaware might have ended in disaster. Instead, a snowstorm struck at just the right moment, cloaking Washington’s movements and muffling the sound of soldiers and cannons. The result was a stunning victory at Trenton, saving the Revolution’s momentum and transforming Washington’s image from faltering leader to inspired commander.
