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West Point’s Christmas Eggnog Riot Of 1826
Nearly 200 years ago, a violent protest broke out after a large cadet eggnog party was broken up on Christmas at the distinguished American military school
The United States Military Academy, better known as West Point, has long been a bastion of discipline and order. However, since they work with young recruits to turn them into tough and ready soldiers, it’s rarely easy. One of the most trying times on their grounds came during the Eggnog Riot of 1826, when a large number of the cadet population disobeyed orders to have a raucous Christmas party and nearly destroyed the venerable institution.
The lead up to the West Point debauchery really began on July 4th, 1826. During the 50th anniversary of the founding of the country, the young cadets had to abide by the Academy’s policy against imbibing alcohol. While many Americans across the country were whooping it up with a good hard drink or three, the young men who were to be tasked with protecting them in the future had to do their celebrating sober.
With Christmas being the next major holiday where some boozy cheer would be appreciated, cadets began secretly stockpiling stores of liquor. In some instances, cadets snuck across the river to a neighboring town to secure…
