This Day The U.S. Gets A New Capitol - For One Day (1814) [Archive Favorite]
Aug 26, 2025
On August 26, 1814, Brookeville, MD became the temporary capital as President Madison fled the burning Washington, D.C. The tale features the daring escape of Dolly Madison, who fought to save invaluable artifacts amid chaos. Meanwhile, a reflection on the 1970 bombing at the University of Wisconsin reveals the intense campus protests against the Vietnam War, illustrating the troubling connection between political unrest and societal change. Both stories highlight the remarkable resilience in turbulent times, linking past and present struggles.
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Madison’s One-Night Capital
- On August 26, 1814, James Madison arrived in Brookville, Maryland while fleeing a burning Washington, D.C.
- He spent the night there and that evening made Brookville the U.S. capital for a short time.
The Madisons’ Flight And The Madison House
- James and Dolly Madison fled the burning capital and carried valuables like the Washington portrait to safety.
- They arrived in Brookville late and found lodging with Caleb and Henrietta Bentley, where Madison stayed awake plotting through the night.
Capital Is Where Government Operates
- The seat of government can be where leaders actively conduct business, not only a fixed building.
- During wartime the capital can shift to wherever the president and executive are operating.