Video: 'When the British burned the White House'
(Wednesday, August 24, 1814, 10:30 p.m. local time; during the Burning of Washington, part the War of 1812) — Following the defeat of American forces at the Battle of Bladensburg, British forces led by Major-General Robert Ross marched on Washington, D.C., tonight setting fire to multiple public buildings; including The White House, United States Capitol, and Washington Navy Yard.
Video: 'The Burning of Washington: When the British Burned Down the White House'
The attack was in part a retaliation for prior American actions in British-held Upper Canada, in which U.S. forces had burned and looted York the previous year and had then burned large portions of Port Dover.
President James Madison, along with his administration and several military officials, evacuated and were able to find refuge for the night in Brookeville, a small town in Montgomery County, Maryland; President Madison spent the night in the house of Caleb Bentley, a Quaker who lived and worked in Brookeville.
Video: 'The Burning of Washington 1814'
After U.S. government officials and President Madison fled the city, first lady Dolley Madison received a letter from her husband, urging her to be prepared to leave Washington at a moment’s notice. Dolley organized the enslaved and other staff to save valuables from the British.
Video: 'The War of 1812' (Burning of Washington at 1:23:46)
The British occupation of Washington, D.C. lasted for roughly 26 hours.
Less than four days after the attack began, a heavy thunderstorm, possibly a hurricane and a tornado, extinguished the fires and caused further destruction.
