August 24th, 1814, fresh from their resounding victory at Bladensburg, Maryland, 4,500 battle-hardened British troops

under the command of Major Robert Ross and Rear Admiral George Cobur, attack the city of Washington and set the capital building ablaze.

Along with the Treasury, the War Department,

and the Library of Congress.

Wooden floors, rafters, and books roar in a glowing bonfire of American defeat.

James Madison, our fourth president, had left the city a few days earlier to meet with his generals in the field.

His wife, First Lady Dolly Madison, would soon follow.

When the British march on the executive mansion, they set about looting and ransacking the place.

Reportedly, some British soldiers find a meal prepared in the kitchen

and sit down to eat it in the executive dining room

off the president's plates,

before then burning down the house for dessert.

The fires in Washington rage through the night until they are extinguished by a severe and

timely storm.

In the aftermath, government buildings are charred and smoldering ruins.

Furnishings and records are destroyed.

The federal city is left a shambles.

It's a daunting setback for a still young nation. Three days later,

when the British forces departed, it falls to James Madison to return to Washington,

working to stiffen the nation's flagging resolve in the

face of an uncertain war, carrying on the conflict to somehow protect American sovereignty

and refuel our founding spirit. The Oh, If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

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