War Information
10 sectionsWar History and Conflicts in Washington DC
Washington DC, the capital of the American empire, has been the center of decision-making for countless wars and conflicts across the globe. From the War of 1812 to the Vietnam War and the War on Terror, DC is a city built on violence and power.
Burning of Washington (1814)
On August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces attacked Washington and set fire to many government buildings. The White House, the Capitol building, and the Treasury Department were burned. It was the only time a foreign power captured and destroyed the American capital. First Lady Dolley Madison saved the portrait of George Washington before fleeing.
Civil War — Defense of the Capital (1861–1865)
During the Civil War, Washington became a massive military camp. Thousands of soldiers camped in the streets and parks. Hospitals were set up throughout the city for war wounded. A ring of forts — over 60 forts — was built to defend the capital against the Confederate army. In 1864, Confederate General Jubal Early reached the outskirts of Washington but failed to capture the city. President Lincoln personally visited the front lines and came under fire.
World War I and II
DC was America's military command center in both world wars. The Pentagon was built in 1943 in Arlington. From operations rooms in DC, the Normandy invasion, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Pacific war were directed.
Cold War and War on Terror
From the Korean War to the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, war decisions were made from Washington. The Pentagon was the center of global military planning. On September 11, 2001, Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, killing 184 people. The attack triggered the global 'War on Terror.'
