Today in History
August 24
1814: The British occupied Washington D.C. during the War of 1812 setting fire to many buildings including the White House. A severe thunderstorm saved many buildings from burning to the ground. Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison, is credited with saving many valuable paintings from destruction as she packed up quickly and left the White House. The British soldiers had dinner at the White House as the table was already set for the evening.
79 A.D: The eruption of the Mount Vesuvius volcano in southern Italy caused the City of Pompeii to be buried.
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