The Day They Burned The White House Down

Many Americans believe that after the Revolutionary War was won in 1781 that hostilities ceased between Britain and The Colonies. It was not the case. The bad blood and fighting went on well into the 19th century. Probably its zenith occurred on August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812. There had been on going disputes between England and the United States involving land in the Northwest territory. There also continued the problem of British Impressment of U.S. sailors on the high seas. The British would seize U.S. vessels and sailors and get them to change sides and fight for them against the U.S. They would use threats usually. Most of the sailors refused. The British were stopping U.S. shipping which was interfering with commerce and damaging the economy by preventing goods from reaching the country. In retaliation for this the U.S. Army set fire to the city of York in Canada. That city is today known as Toronto. The British responded by heading straight for the capitol. They met only light resistance on their march to Washington because most of the U.S. Army was up further north around Toronto. Once they got into the city they went right for the White House and lit it up. They sent President Madison fleeing into the night as the building burned.