Today, the 24th August, is the 201st Anniversary of the 1814 British invasion of Washington DC, the burning of the city, the Capitol building and the Presidential Mansion. The Mansion was so badly damaged, that during its reconstruction the US covered up the blackened scorched stonework with white paint, which is how the White House got its current name.
^ A commemorative cake to mark the 201st Anniversary. Don't worry, those are only sparklers.
White House Burning Anniversary!
-
- Member
- Posts: 321
- Joined: 05 Jun 2015, 03:08
Re: White House Burning Anniversary!
Happy 204th anniversary! Despite their claims, it wasn't the Canadians who did it, it was the British, as "Canada" didn't begin until 1st July 1867.
Re: White House Burning Anniversary!
Most of the troops involved came from a British brigade stationed in Bermuda. The British fleet left through a difficult passage in the reefs at the western end of the island, so that they weren't spotted by the American frigates lurking on the horizon off the eastern end of the island, where the deep-water channel was.SKB wrote:
Happy 204th anniversary! Despite their claims, it wasn't the Canadians who did it, it was the British, as "Canada" didn't begin until 1st July 1867.
The burning was, however, in response to American destruction of Canadian civilian property on the shores of Lake Erie, which is where the Canadian connection comes in. It also makes the British the only foreign country to have occupied the US Capital
The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Re: White House Burning Anniversary!
Why did the British burn Washington?
(Timeline) 30th March 2019
Narrated by Dan Snow
Happy 207th anniversary!
^ The Burning of Washington, 24th August 1814 (Wood engraving, Author unknown)
^ The President's House (now 'White House') on 24th August 1814
^ US Capitol on 24th August 1814.
(CBS) 31st August 2014
(Timeline) 30th March 2019
Narrated by Dan Snow
Happy 207th anniversary!
^ The Burning of Washington, 24th August 1814 (Wood engraving, Author unknown)
^ The President's House (now 'White House') on 24th August 1814
^ US Capitol on 24th August 1814.
(CBS) 31st August 2014