On August 24, 1814, the United States came the closest it ever has to ceasing to exist. The American army was badly beaten and on the run. A British army was occupying Washington, DC, under the command of one of the era's best generals... and the city was set ablaze. This is the backstory of the shocking series of mistakes that led to the assault on our capital city, the details of the battle for Washington, and the miraculous set of events that saved the nation. The lecture is based on Watson's critically acclaimed new book.