British seizure of American seamen pushed James Madison to ask Congress for a declaration of war in June 1812. The United States entered the conflict without a strong military. Consequently, early ...

James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution ... In 1814 the British went so far as to burn the White House and Capitol Building as a fleeing Madison watched from across the Potomac.

Like James Madison, Monroe was secretary of state before becoming president. A spirit of vigorous nationalism known as the Era of Good Feelings ushered Monroe into the White House, virtually unopposed ...

according to the White House Historical Association. James Madison - known as the father of the US constitution - served as president from 1809 to 1817. The photograph of his wife joins the ...