The Nations Capital was under siege during the War of 1812. The White House was set on fire and the Brits were marching in strength on the Capital. So, did the White House burn down and did the Brits take the Capitol. No siree bob. A tornado of massive proportions struck the marching Brits, scattering their artillery like toys and it threw their entire Army into dismay and retreat. Oh, and it extinguished the flames. IIRC, that is when Dolly Madison rescued the portrait of George Washington. God was definitely on our side back then.