@whitehousehistory On August 24, 1814, the British burned the President’s House. When the British arrived at the empty President’s House, they enjoyed the evening meal that had been prepared for guests of the first family before setting the building on fire and destroying everything of value. President James Madison and other high-ranking government officials stayed in the countryside while the British occupied the defenseless capital for more than a day. The episode marked the lowest point of the War of 1812 for American morale. Less than a month later, the Americans claimed a key victory when Fort McHenry repulsed the British forces at Baltimore, and, after the Treaty of Ghent, the very survival of the young republic would be framed as a national victory. Renovating the Executive Mansion in the same location and with the original design became a point of pride for Americans, and original architect James Hoban was hired to do just that. In October 1817, President James Monroe moved into the White House, where every American president and his family has lived since. Credit: Tom Freeman 2004, copyright White House Historical Association #whitehouse #history #presidentshouse #warof1812 #burningofwashington #fire #burning #conflagration #jamesmadison #dolleymadison #madison #jameshoban #renovation https://www.instagram.com/p/B1jAv8UAKFd/?igshid=1405qu9cax8so
