What You Need To Know
- British troops attacked Washington D.C. during the War of 1812
- They set fire to the Capitol, the White House, and other government buildings
- A strong tornado helped save the city
The setup
The Constitution escaping from the British in 1812. (AP Photo)
Years before the war began, British troops stopped American ships from trading with Europe. They would often search American ships for "contraband" and take back deserters who fled the Royal Navy, even if they were now American citizens.
British troops even took American-born citizens and forced them to join the British.
Tensions continued to climb in the following years and led to the War of 1812.
It was during this war that Americans thought Canada would be an easy defeat. Great Britain had control of the country at the time. They looked at it as a way to retaliate against their former kingdom.
In the end, the United States failed and retreated to American soil, but it was this attack on Canada that led to retaliation on Washington D.C. less than a year later.
The attack
British troops planned their attack on August 24, 1814. American soldiers met them just outside the city, but the British forces defeated them quickly.
The British troops moved farther into the city that same day where they burned the Capitol and the White House. They even took the time to eat a meal at the White House before they burned it.
The occupation by the British was short-lived, only lasting 26 hours. They never planned to occupy Washington D.C. permanently, but severe weather cut their stay even shorter than they planned.
The storm
The next day on August 25, 1814, a big storm swept through the city bringing heavy rains and a possible strong tornado.
The heavy rains helped put the fires out.
The tornado touched down in the middle of the city causing structural damage. Buildings sustained heavy damage. Strong winds uprooted trees and even blew heavy cannons around.
Several written accounts described how flying debris killed many British soldiers.
Rebuilding our nation’s capital
The storm only lasted for two hours, but the British left the city shortly after.
President Madison left the city after receiving notice the British were coming. His wife, Dolly Madison, also escaped but managed to save a well-known portrait of George Washington that is still on view at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.
The famous portrait of George Washington was painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1796. AP/Jacelyn Martin
The first family returned to Washington D.C. to see the destruction days later. The Capitol and the White House were rebuilt, and the city thrived again.
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Conclusion
A rare tornado played a crucial role in saving Washington D.C. from further destruction during the War of 1812. The storm helped put out the fires and forced the British to leave the city. This event is a unique example of how weather can shape political history.
FAQs
Q: What was the War of 1812?
A: The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and the British Empire from 1812 to 1815.
Q: Why did the British attack Washington D.C.?
A: The British attacked Washington D.C. to retaliate for the American attack on Canada during the War of 1812.
Q: What was the impact of the storm on the city?
A: The storm helped put out the fires and forced the British to leave the city, saving it from further destruction.
Q: How often does Washington D.C. get hit by tornadoes?
A: According to the National Weather Service, Washington D.C. has only been hit by seven other tornadoes since 1814, making it a very rare event.
