Why Is Washington Dc Important In The 19th Century

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Washington, D.C. became a city of great importance to the country in the 19th century. By the early 1800’s, the White House was completed. The first president to live in the White House was John Adams, and the White House is still home to the President today. The rest of the federal government, like Congress and the Supreme Court, made Washington,D.C. their permanent home. Unfortunately, Washington, D.C. was threatened with destruction multiple times.

One instance of this occurred during the War of 1812. The city was captured by the invading British army. The President at the time was James Madison. He fled from the capital to Maryland before the British arrived. Madison’s wife, Dolly Madison, was able to take many important valuables with her before the British arrived, including a portrait of George Washington.
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They burned many important buildings such as the White House and the Capitol Building where Congress met. Ironically, the city of Washington, D.C. was actually saved by a terrible storm. A tornado swept through the city which forced the British to retreat to their