What Happened When British Troops Reached the White House?

People often think of the attack on Pearl Harbor as the first time America was attacked by a foreign nation. But that’s not historically accurate. During the War of 1812, British troops marched on Washington, D.C. and set fire to the White House. You can hear more about this incredible event when you watch the featured video.

You’ll hear the White House Curator explain how and why the White House was set on fire. Although the dome hadn’t yet been built, a grand hall was burned to the ground. You can still see the original scorch marks in certain areas of the building.

The White House is one of the stops on Haymarket Transportation’s all-inclusive Presidential Tour in Washington, D.C. For information about our sightseeing tours, give us a call at 301-778-2007.