Who Burned the White House?

Did you know that the White House was attacked and set on fire? It happened in 1814, during the War of 1812. The war started because the British Navy had been attacking U.S. ships and kidnapping American sailors. The U.S. declared war on Britain in 1812. On August 24, 1814, the British marched on Washington. First, they burned the Capitol. Then they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue and set fire to the White House. The British then tried to capture Baltimore, but strong U.S. Army and Navy forces there turned back the British at Fort McHenry. The war ended in December 1814. The White House was rebuilt and refurnished.

The map shows how British troops traveled from the Atlantic Ocean, into Chesapeake Bay, and on to Washington, D.C. Use it to answer the following questions.

1. About how many miles did the British sail on their route from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay to Washington, D.C.?

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2. Before invading Washington, D.C., the British won a battle at Bladensburg, Maryland. What marching orders did the British General Ross give his troops to direct them from Bladensburg to Washington, D.C.?

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3. After their victory in Washington, the British sailed to Baltimore and attacked. How many miles did they have to sail from Washington, D.C.?

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4. If the British had marched to Baltimore, how long would their march have been? Why do you think they sailed instead?

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You Do It!

President James Madison's wife, Dolley, had to leave the White House quickly. Few things were saved. One was a portrait of George Washington. If your house were on fire, what would you save? Why?