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Signs of the Past

Even though the events described in this book took place long ago, you can see evidence that they really
happened. How? Scorch marks left by the fire are still visible today on the White House. Fire-blackened
stones above two of the entrances have been left unpainted. You might never notice them unless someone
points them out to you. But they give us a glimpse into what happened one night in August 1814 and
remind us of a dark time in our country’s history.

As one visitor recounted, “I was fascinated when one of the guards pointed out to us that the lintel over
the door to the basement showed burn marks and bullet holes that were still there from the War of 1812,
when the White House burned down. That is certainly a piece of history that not many people see.”
(Claire Jones, 2011) For Review Only