<P> The Burning of Washington was a British attack against Washington , D.C. , the capital of the United States , during the War of 1812 . On August 24 , 1814 , after defeating the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg , a British force led by Major General Robert Ross occupied Washington and set fire to many public buildings , including the White House ( known as the Presidential Mansion ) , and the Capitol , as well as other facilities of the U.S. government . The attack was in part a retaliation for the recent American destruction of Port Dover in Upper Canada . It marks the only time in U.S. history that Washington , D.C. has been occupied by a foreign force . </P>
<P> The Burning of Washington was a British attack against Washington , D.C. , the capital of the United States , during the War of 1812 . On August 24 , 1814 , after defeating the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg , a British force led by Major General Robert Ross occupied Washington and set fire to many public buildings , including the White House ( known as the Presidential Mansion ) , and the Capitol , as well as other facilities of the U.S. government . The attack was in part a retaliation for the recent American destruction of Port Dover in Upper Canada . It marks the only time in U.S. history that Washington , D.C. has been occupied by a foreign force . </P>
when did the burning of washington dc happen
when did the burning of washington dc happen
August 24 , 1814
August 24 , 1814