What is the significance of burning of washington dc

Well the British had burned Washington .D.C. during the Sacking of York, in the war of 1812. In retaliation American troops set fire to the Parliament, Government House, and several other public buildings in the Upper Canadian capital. It is the only time that the American capital was occupied by enemy forces.

the completion of the erie canal spurred the first great westward movement of american settlers, gave access to the rich land and resources west of the appalachians and made new york the preeminent commercial city in the united states.