British Embassy Marks Anniversary Of Burning Of White House, With a Cake
Yesterday marked the 200th anniversary of the burning of the White House by British forces during the War On 1812 so, of course, the British Embassy decided to bake a cake:
Commemorating 200 years of peace between the US & UK pic.twitter.com/5fEKRKxBFU
— British Embassy (@UKinUSA) August 24, 2014
Commemorating the 200th anniversary of burning the White House. Only sparklers this time! pic.twitter.com/QIDBQTBmmL
— British Embassy (@UKinUSA) August 24, 2014
Apparently, some people on social media were offended by the whole thing last night. The embassy eventually tweeted out an apology of sorts, linking to a Huffington Post piece by Deputy Head of Mission Patrick Davies. Personally, I thought it was hilarious. Nicely played, Brits.
The War of 1812 was one of the strangest in history. It was also one of the most important events in US history. Yet most people would not be able to give one important fact about this war. Most schools skip or give only passing reference to it. I am not sure why people would be offended by this anniversary observance , but of course a lot of people today get offended about anything.
The first and only time this country has been invaded (unless you count when the Mexican army went into Texas).
The major battle was fought after the war wss legally over, at New Orleans as Colonel Jackson defeated the British using a motley collection of hunters, prisoners, citizens, and pirates in one of the most brilliant military victories in history.
Great leadership by James Madison (and some inept British leaders) prevented a total disaster and defeat.
HOW CAN YOU BE OFFENDED BY THIS?!?!
Who is offended by cake?! Sure, a cake with the Hindenburg crash rendered lovingly in multicolored icing might be “too soon,” but a two-century-old razing?
@Tillman:
…that hat…
Essex, CT had it’s fleet burnt in April 1814…so a few months before the White House. It’s an interesting story…and you can still see musket balls embedded in the walls of local buildings.
Strangely enough…to this day Essex actually celebrates the event.
Weird. But true. Tourism knows no pride.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essex,_Connecticut
http://www.essexct.com/events.php?arg=371
@C. Clavin:
They burnt Buffalo to the ground too.
What this lead to was the ability of the frontier city to restructure itself in terms of functional layout since less than 5 buildings survived, leading to a booming community with wider avenues that normal and enough space for Olmstead to play with later on. The History Channel had a great special on it – it was seen a preview to the devastation planned for DC but turned into an unexpected boon for the city.
Better a cake than a barbecue?
In six years, we can expect to see the British commemorating the bombing of Dresden with a cake?
Too soon.
@Tyrell:
The only thing I know is that the 1812 Overture is NOT about the War of 1812. I suppose that doesn’t qualify as an important fact, however.
Growing up in Baltimore, it got quite a bit more attention what with Fort McHenry and the Star Spangled Banner and such. The Bowie Baysox (O’s AA team) have also had the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Brandenburg advertising up all year. We are very much a country of regions…
You know what would be even more funny? Let’s all get together and bake a cake for the time we broke into your house, broke your stuff, killed someone near to you, then burned what was left. If you’re not laughing with us, just give it some time and you’ll think it’s as funny as we do. That’s the principle you’re advocating.
“Growing up in Baltimore, it got quite a bit more attention what with Fort McHenry and the Star Spangled Banner and such”
Something I learned recently is that Francis Scott Key was Roger (Dred Scott) Taney’s brother-in- law and law partner.
As for the Brits and the unpleasantness of 1812-14, I think Tony Blair struck the right note:
Here’s Balir adressing a a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress on Thursday, July 17, 2003.:
@Poster:
Lighten up, Francis.
@Neil Hudelson:
That hat, indeed. One could legitimately wonder if he’s wearing the cake on his head and carrying a hat in his hands.
This put me to mind of this Eddie Izzard bit, Cake or Death
But we should be kind to them. If they were to leave the EU and join the US, Britain would be our second poorest state, beating out only Mississippi
Breaking news, the Brits are burning the Federal City
@Franklin: But the national anthem IS
@JKB:
When someone like you, links to an article that says this:
I immediately stop reading.
I remember during his presidency, George Bush touted 200 years of friendship between the US and Great Britain when it hadn’t even been 200 years since they burned the White House to the ground.
@C. Clavin:
That’s sad
@JKB: and they could also benefit from our esl programs.
They burnt the White House in retaliation for the burning of York (now Toronto). The expedition left from Halifax.
By the way, we are commemorating the War of 1812 in Canada during its 200th anniversary.
Mitch McConnell ordered the cake, the Brits refused to put the flames and the likeness of Obama on the icing.
@Stephen Bloom: I would too! It’s the war you can legitimately lord over us.
…is it also the last war? Did you scare us out of the Great North for good or…? My history is rusty there.
@JKB:
A quick google search proves that statement false.
The UK has a per capita GDP of 39,567 which puts it between Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Some other states lower than UK on the list are:
You may notice that most of those states and regions below UK on the list are Red. I’m guessing that doesn’t fit your preferred narrative.
@JKB:
I just had a look at the comments on that article you linked in the spectator. Wow! There is some nastiness in there.
@Grewgills:
An example from the UK version of our own SD in the comment thread there
@Grewgills: i’m not sure that’s fair. Superdestroyer is a LOT more nuanced than that.
Low bar to clear, I’ll admit, but still in all…
Did you adjust for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) like he does in the article?
@JKB:
UK’s PPP per capita is 37,307, which puts it between Ohio and Tennessee’s unadjusted GSP. He adjusts for PPP for the UK and doesn’t adjust individually between the states, making his comparison dodgy. It also fails to account for the structural differences in our economies. Among the glaring differences are the way health insurance is structured.
@Tillman: we once had to repulse some Fenians post Civil War!