Welcome

On August 24, 1814, British and United States military forces clashed at Bladensburg, Maryland. The British forces won the battle and advanced to Washington City where they set fire to public buildings and some private property. Although the British stayed less than 48 hours, the capture of the capital city was a major event in the War of 1812. This website is a mobile-first exploration of some of the major incidents during the British occupation of Washington, DC. Each stop on the tour will give you a brief summary of what we now know and selections from primary sources written by people who witnessed the events of late August, 1814. Pay attention to when they were written. Clicking on the image next to the source will take you to a longer description with context. You can also browse the sources and places included, or explore on the map.