What event led to the destruction of the original Capitol building?

The destruction of the original Capitol building in Washington, D.C., occurred during the War of 1812 when British forces invaded the city. In August 1814, the British set fire to multiple government buildings, including the Capitol. This attack was part of their campaign to retaliate for American actions in Canada and other provocations. The fire caused significant damage to the Capitol, leading to its eventual reconstruction and expansion in the years that followed.

While there were other events that could threaten buildings, such as construction mishaps, natural disasters like earthquakes, or even lightning strikes, none of these contributed to the actual destruction of the original Capitol as the British fire did. The impact of the fire not only affected the physical structure but also symbolized the challenges faced by the young nation at that time.