The Burning of Washington in 1814 was an incident during the War of 1812 between the forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and those of the United States of America. On August 24, 1814, after defeating the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg, a British force led by Major General Robert Ross occupied Washington, D.C. and set fire to many public buildings. The facilities of the U.S. government, including the White House and U.S. Capitol, were largely destroyed. The British commander's orders to burn only public buildings and strict discipline among the British troops are credited with preserving the city's private buildings.
This was the only time since the Revolutionary War that a foreign power captured and occupied the United States capital.
Read more about Burning Of Washington: Reasons For The Attack, Events, White House, Other Property in Washington, Aftermath, Reconstruction
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“Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend,
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Thus at the flaming forge of life
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—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1809–1882)
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