Otto's Tales: Dolley Saves President Washington | PragerU Kids

[Music] welcome to aut's Tales story time brought to you by Prager you kids I'm Jill and today I can't find my story book anywhere I have looked all over the place uto do you know where my story book is yes okay thank you this is a nice hat that looks like George Washington but it's not my story book is this a hint of some kind yes okay okay we're playing a game uh well if you oh look at that well it's a painting of George Washington yes aot this is a very famous painting that's an important part of our American history is this another hint yes okay I think I'm beginning to understand you want me to read a story about George Washington and that painting yes okay and then you'll give me my book if I promise okay it's a deal you got it thank you Otto I knew he was up to something let's read Dolly saves President Washington Once Upon a Time in the month of August in the year 1814 in the capital city of the United States there was Panic on the street streets in people's homes and even inside the President's White House it was the War of 1812 and the British army had returned to try and take back America years after it won its freedom from Britain's rule thousands of soldiers in Red Coats had landed nearby and were making their way towards Washington ready to attack the city in the days ahead families loaded up their wagons with everything they owned to flee for safety everyone was trying to escape as quickly as they could men women and children but not Dolly Madison dolly was a lady with quiet strength and confidence known for her manners and Grace she was the wife of James Madison the fourth President of the United States Dolly loved her country and took her responsibilities as first lady very seriously her husband after all was one of America's founding fathers and helped write the United States Constitution with British troops fast approaching President Madison felt called to lead Dolly he anxiously approached his wife I must join General wer of our US Army and will return in the next few days I'm depending on you to take care of yourself and America's important documents will you be all right until I come back I have no fear but for you and the success of our army Dolly replied President Madison began his journey over the next few days Dolly resolved to keep calm and tend to her own duties be mindful of these important papers Dolly instructed as she and a few of her servants pressed Stacks and stacks of important government documents into trunks Dolly had to be ready at a moment's warning to leave the city for the enemy now seemed strong longer than was first reported she was scared but she carried on with the help of the few who were with her at the White House Dolly began packing as many valuables as she could load onto carriages the more she bustled to and fro inside the house the more frequently she noticed the grand painted portrait of the great General and President George Washington Dolly admired the painting not only because it was a skill ful Showmanship of the artist who painted it but because it was a symbol of how America fought for and earned freedom from Great Britain Against All Odds not too long ago the next morning Dolly awoke and turned her spy glass out her window in every direction with hopes she'd see her husband returning James Madison was nowhere in sight instead she saw military groups wandering in the hot summer sun in the distance she heard cannons Mrs Madison two Messengers covered in dust approached the house you must flee the British are near and they are coming here to set fire to this house the time had come but the first lady refused Dolly took her responsibility seriously she had already loaded her home's valuables in wagons she had already packed America's important papers just as her husband requested Ed but there was yet one thing left to do French John Young Paul Dolly called for her trusty servants save that picture if possible she pointed to George Washington's portrait hanging on the wall if not possible to save it then destroy it under no circumstance allow it to fall into the hands of the British the men nodded and got to work they tried with all their might to remove it from the wall but the frame was so heavy and unscrewing it from the wall was proving to be too difficult they were running out of time outside the noises grew louder if you must break the frame please do we must remove the painting Dolly pleaded she was scared on the inside but looked calm on the outside Mrs Madison we must flee now it was Mr Carol a longtime friend I will not leave this house until the portrait of our dear President Washington is rescued from being destroyed by the British Mrs Madison there is no time Mr Carol was not amused in fact he was quite angry but Dolly stayed committed to her duty at last she cried it is done the precious portrait was removed and placed into the hands of Two Gentlemen from New York for safekeeping with Hasty relief Dolly swiftly escaped the White House with her servants and friends before the British army arrived and set the president's house Ablaze everything was destroyed but thanks to dol's courage America's most important documents and the painting were rescued not too long after that the War of 1812 ended the president's house was rebuilt and America continued to be free as for that portrait of George Washington it was returned to the White House where it still hangs today the end wow you know now I understand why Otto wanted me to read this story it's a lesson about staying calm and thinking clearly in a very scary situation and the best part about it is the story story is also true this really happened in our country's history Dolly Madison loved America and she's the one who saved the original painting that is still on display in our United States White House you happy about that OT good job buddy you know Otto I owe you a thank you because this is a story that everyone of all ages should know and remember and and celebrate you know maybe we should hang up that portrait of George Washington somewhere around here yeah all right let's get to it thank you for watching utto Tales check out some of our other stories too keep reading keep watching and remember to keep calm and carry on with courage bye guys good [Music] job thank you for watching you know we've got more episodes right watch the whole series on our website and parents you can subscribe at Prager kids.com