In August 1814, the United States army was defeated just outside Washington, D.
C., by the world\'s greatest military power.
The extent of the destruction was massive; finished in wood rather than marble, everything inside the mansion was combu.
British troops stopped to feast on the meal still sitting on the Madisons\' dining-room table before setting the White House on fire.
President James Madison and his wife had just enough time to flee the White House before the British invaders entered.
In August 1814, the United States army was defeated just outside Washington, D.
C., by the world\'s greatest military power