How was the United States invaded by a foreign power during the war of 1812?

Well, we could tell you that the United States invaded by a foreign power during the war of 1812 because of our mostly friendly neighbors and the difficulties of crossing an ocean with an invasion force large enough to do the job.

We could do that, but instead we’d rather cast scorn because your teacher is so very wrong.

And we’re not just talking about minor invasions here, either, like the Japanese bombings along the West Coast, the German sabotage squad’s landing in New Jersey, or Pancho Villa’s attack on New Mexico.

No, this was a full-fledged incursion where an enemy force burned the Capitol and sacked the White House, nearly capturing the president and first lady in the process.

It happened, of course, during the War of 1812, when England stormed borders and nearly got the chance to reclaim the colony it had given up less than four decades earlier.