Episode 20: The Storm That Saved America’s Capitol

During the War of 1812 the British army captured Washington, D.C. and began burning the city to the ground. They were interrupted by an act of nature unlike anything seen before or since in the Capitol.

A massive hurricane and tornado combination hit Washington, dousing the fires and crippling the British forces. Interpreted by the American civilians as an act of God, this powerful storm helped push the British out of the region and is remembered as one of the more unusual events in US history.