August–September 1814
Beyond Vassar
British forces entered Washington D. C., burning and looting the White House, Capitol, Treasury and War Department and forcing President James Madison and his government to flee to Maryland.
The subsequent American response and the defense of Fort McHenry in the Battle of Baltimore, September 13–14, inspired Frances Scott Key’s “Defense of Ft. McHenry,” later known as “The Star-Spangled Banner.”