The Burning of Washington also called the Battle of Bladensburg happened during August 24 1814. This happened when General Robert Ross sailed the navy through Patuxent River and arrived near Upper Malboro. Thereafter Joshua Barney and his navy stood strong at Bladensburg. It was a brave stand but the British eventually broke through and continued to Washington. The British burned down important buildings like the Capitol Building and the Executive Mansion (White House). James Madison and the Congressmen only just barely escaped D.C. This attack was revenge for America's invasion of York (Toronto) which was the capital of Canada. After the British stopped torching D.C. they continued on to Baltimore.