Last summer I traveled across the US and spent a good amount of time on the East Coast. As a tourist I did all the obvious sightseeing, especially the historical places where the country’s founding fathers did their business. Places like Independence Square, the building where the declaration of independence was signed.

The trouble with visiting these places is, as an Englishman, most of the time they are telling stories about how much of a shit the British were being.

 

While visiting  Independence Square I took part in group tour of the court-house where the US Senate and Congress originally met.

I had a question about what happened to the court-house once the Government moved to the newly built Washington DC. I raised my hand but someone else’s question was picked first.

“Are those the original paintings?” she asked, pointing at two large portraits hanging on the wall.

“They are not,” said the guide. “They are replicas. The originals were sent to The White House but were destroyed during the war of 1812 when The White House was burnt down by the British.”

The woman nodded content with her answer.

“Any other questions?” the tour guide asked.

I slowly lowered my hand.