Happy 1st Birthday to “Dolley Madison and the War of 1812” Dolley Madison and the War of 1812 was born an entire year ago, hard to believe! What a privilege it has been to entertain readers and audiences with stories about America’s First First Lady! She was much, much more than a phenomenal hostess-with-the-mostess! Hip hip huzza for the Presidentess! I would so appreciate your review of Dolley Madison and the War of 1812 on Amazon if you have a chance. It’s a huge help for authors, especially independent ones like me! The official birthday for the book is on August 24, a significant date in American history that no one cares to recall. To our great shame, on that day in 1814, now 208 years ago, the British entered Washington City with no resistance whatsoever. They proceeded to burn our public buildings–including the Capitol, the State Department, the Treasury, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the President’s House. As the British advanced toward Washington City, Dolley was among the very last to flee. She waited until the last possible moment, ignoring several desperate pleas from the mayor to get to safety. She knew her evacuation would come as a massive blow to the American morale, so she wanted to avoid it as long as possible. Even when she resigned herself to leave, she delayed her departure even longer, risking imminent apprehension by the enemy. She had to save the life-sized portrait of General Washington. She could not tolerate it falling into British hands and paraded through the streets of London. Thanks to her heroism, the portrait hangs today in the East Room of the White House. In the parlor next door, Dolley’s portrait hangs in the parlor next door with a view overlooking General Washington’s portrait. As the story goes, curators positioned her there so she could keep an eye on it.     |
