The White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., is one of several immediately-recognizable edifices representing the freedom, democracy, and the political, industrial and economic greatness that is the United States of America.

First occupied in 1800 by the young country’s second president, John Adams, and his wife Abigail, it has stood for 225 years as “The People’s House” — officially the nerve center for 46 of 47 presidencies . . .

. . . except for a period of about three years beginning on August 24, 1814 — 211 years ago today — when British troops sacked and set fire to it during the War of 1812.

The country’s fourth president, James Madison, had left the day before to meet with his generals on the nearby battlefield, expecting to return the following day. But, knowing that the British troops were closing in on Washington, he gave his wife Dolley instructions to gather up important state papers and be prepared to abandon the White House at a moment’s notice.

Dolley made her escape, and the Madisons were able to return to Washington three days later . . . though not to the burnt-out White House. They took up residence in the nearby Octagon House, where Madison served out the rest of his term. It was only in 1817 that newly-elected president James Monroe was able to occupy the reconstructed building. [“This Day In History,” History.com, August 24, 2025.]

And there on Pennsylvania Avenue it has stood ever since, through Democratic and Republican administrations, through times of peace and times of war, and through periods of civil strife.

*. *. *

The White House is now again under fire, though not at the hands of a foreign foe. But — “God willin’ and the creek don’t rise” (as they say in the American south) — it will survive, and there it will remain for the next 250 years.

The White House, and everything it represents, has endured much over two and a half centuries; with the people’s help and courage, it can surely withstand another three and a half years.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
8/24/25