Cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point found themselves embroiled in a riot on Christmas Eve, culminating in chaos throughout the academy grounds. The incident began when a group of cadets, motivated by the holiday spirit, procured a substantial quantity of eggnog, which was not permitted due to alcohol prohibitions on campus. The festive mood quickly turned into debauchery as more cadets joined in, leading to rampant drinking and rowdiness. The cadets' decision to breach the academy's strict regulations resulted in disorder and insubordination, prompting serious concerns among the staff. The riot escalated to the point where physical confrontations occurred, with property being damaged and several cadets injured during the fracas, demonstrating the lack of discipline and order during the celebration. Commandant Sylvanus Thayer and other academy officers intervened to reestablish order and enforce discipline among the cadets. In the aftermath, many were court-martialed for their involvement in the riot, an unprecedented response to such behavior.