THE FIRST LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
1802-1804
1810-1814
THIS TABLET MARKS THE ORIGINAL LOCATION OF
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. AT OTHER TIMES BETWEEN
1800 AND 1810 THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
THE SENATE AND THE SUPREME COURT MET IN
THESE QUARTERS.
ON AUGUST 24, 1814 THE BRITISH CAPTURED
WASHINGTON AND SET FIRE TO THE CAPITOL. THE
BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY WERE USED TO KINDLE
THE FLAMES THAT DESTROYED THIS SECTION OF
THE BUILDING.
