On August 24, 1814, British forces capture and burn the American capital of Washington, D.C. The attack came as the result of Napoleon's defeat allowing Britain to mobilize a larger force to fight the Americans in the War of 1812 combined with the desire for retaliation for the American actions along the Canadian side of Lake Erie. The main goal of the attack was to destroy American governmental and military facilities in the capital.

The British advance into Washington forced then-president James Madison and his government and military officials to flee the capital, taking refuge in Brookeville, Maryland. Among the building burned by the British were the US Capitol Building, the White House, the US Treasury building, and the Department of War building. Also destroyed was the building of the National Intelligencer newspaper; however, the building was torn down rather than burned out of concern that a fire would spread to nearby houses. The Washington Navy Yard was already destroyed by the retreating American forces so as to prevent the capture of stores and ammunition by the British. Despite the destruction, one government building did escape harm. Described as the only US government building left untouched, the US Patent Office building was spared thanks to the efforts of then-Superintendent of Patents William Thornton.

Less the 24 hours after the attack began, a strong storm blew into Washington. Often referred to as the "Storm that Saved Washington," debate remains regarding whether the storm aided the Americans in foiling the plans of the British or if it aided the British by further damaging American structures. Nevertheless, the British forces attacking Washington withdrew having accomplished their objective of razing the American capital approximately 26 hours after their attack began. The Burning of Washington marks the only time since the American Revolution that a foreign power occupied the American capital. The United Kingdom also remains as the only country to have captured Washington, D.C.