The Burning of Washington, D.C.

The War of 1812 In4 Minutes

On August 24, 1814, British forces invaded America's young capital of Washington D.C. following a victory at Bladensburg, Md. They captured the city with ease, and proceeded to setting a majority of the federal buildings on fire including the U.S. Capitol and the White House. Why did the British burn Washington D.C. during the War of 1812? What did this event have to do with Canada? Why did the British spare private residencies and the patent office? Join Roger Bailey as he explains the reasons behind why the British chose to attack Washington D.C. in August of 1814.

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