Explore these amazing engravings of the President's House and the Capitol Building following the Burning of Washington on August 24, 1814. The engravings were done by William Strickland and depict the destruction caused by the British attack and subsequent tornado.

Two hundred years ago, the nation's capital was burned by a foreign power. Explore the reactions of two newspapers, The Columbian and the Federal Republican, to this historic event with us. PDFs of the articles are included.

Explore the fascinating history of Brown's Indian Queen Hotel, a once-stately hotel on Pennsylvania Ave. in D.C. Learn about the hotel's notable guests, historic events and the "Star-Spangled Banner" first sung there in 1814.

On January 1st, 1817, President James Madison issued a proclamation suspending certain building regulations in Washington, DC. Learn more about this piece of old history here!

Discover the history of Blodgett's Hotel in Washington, DC, from its founding in 1793 to its destruction in 1836. Learn about the building's role in the lottery, the US Theater, and the US Post Office. Plus, check out Virtual Architecture Archaeology.

Early in the 19th century, there was a proposal to build a national university at the west end of the Mall, where the Lincoln Memorial now sits.

Take a trip back in time with this rare painting of the Capitol Building from the early 19th century. Get a glimpse of the Capitol as it looked more than 200 years ago. Source: Library of Congress.

Take a step back in time and explore a French drawing from the early 19th century. See a glimpse of the past and marvel at the differences from modern day life. Don't miss the J. Crew!

Why is the capital in Washington, DC? After the British burned the White House and Capitol in the War of 1812, the capital almost moved back to Philadelphia.

Are you a D.C. history nerd? Check out this fascinating production from UMBC's Imaging Research Center that takes a look at what the Capitol looked like in 1814. The voiceover is a little dry, but follow along and watch the whole thing. It's very interesting!