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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK embassy apologises for 'burning White House' tweet | UK embassy apologises for 'burning White House' tweet |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The British embassy in Washington has apologised after tweeting a picture of a White House cake surrounded by sparklers, "commemorating" the burning of the building 200 years ago. | The British embassy in Washington has apologised after tweeting a picture of a White House cake surrounded by sparklers, "commemorating" the burning of the building 200 years ago. |
| The US presidential residence was set on fire by British forces in 1814 during the "War of 1812" with the United States. | The US presidential residence was set on fire by British forces in 1814 during the "War of 1812" with the United States. |
| A number of Twitter users said the embassy's tweet was "in poor taste". | A number of Twitter users said the embassy's tweet was "in poor taste". |
| The embassy later said: "Apologies for earlier Tweet." | The embassy later said: "Apologies for earlier Tweet." |
| It added: "We meant to mark an event in history & celebrate our strong friendship today." | It added: "We meant to mark an event in history & celebrate our strong friendship today." |
| 'Only sparklers!' | 'Only sparklers!' |
| British troops led by Maj Gen Robert Ross, from Northern Ireland, attacked and burned public buildings including the Capitol, Washington Navy Yard and the president's mansion during the conflict. | British troops led by Maj Gen Robert Ross, from Northern Ireland, attacked and burned public buildings including the Capitol, Washington Navy Yard and the president's mansion during the conflict. |
| It was the only time since the American War of Independence that a foreign power has captured and occupied Washington. | |
| The offending tweet on Sunday read: "Commemorating the 200th anniversary of burning the White House. Only sparklers this time!" | The offending tweet on Sunday read: "Commemorating the 200th anniversary of burning the White House. Only sparklers this time!" |
| The British embassy message, published on its official Twitter account, has been retweeted more than 4,000 times. | The British embassy message, published on its official Twitter account, has been retweeted more than 4,000 times. |
| One user questioned: "Is this suppose [sic] to be funny"? | One user questioned: "Is this suppose [sic] to be funny"? |
| Another wrote: "I think this is in extremely POOR TASTE." | Another wrote: "I think this is in extremely POOR TASTE." |
| An apology was issued on the account two hours after the original message. | An apology was issued on the account two hours after the original message. |