A freak thunderstorm spawned three extremely rare tornadoes during this event, which some interpreted as divine intervention.
A freak thunderstorm spawned three extremely rare tornadoes during this event, which some interpreted as divine intervention. In his memoirs, Paul Jennings recalled scrambling to save valuables before this event. The dispersion of militiamen in the "Bladensburg races" allowed this event to occur, which was carried out by the occupying forces of George Cockburn and Robert Ross. This event was partially justified as retaliation for the burning of York, and destroyed important government buildings such as the Library of Congress and the White House. For 10 points, name this event during the War of 1812, when British soldiers set the capital of the United States on fire. 
A freak thunderstorm spawned three extremely rare tornadoes during this event, which some interpreted as divine intervention.
burning of Washington, D.C. [accept "D.C." or "the District of Columbia" in place of Washington, D.C.; anti-prompt on more specific answers such as "burning of the White House"]