9. The Burning of Washington (1814)
During the War of 1812, British forces invaded the U.S. capital and set fire to key government buildings, including the Capitol and the White House. The attack left much of Washington, D.C. in ruins and forced government leaders to flee. This bold act of aggression remains a sobering reminder of America’s vulnerability to foreign threats on its own soil. Though eventually rebuilt, the scars of the Burning of Washington still echo through history.
