HistoryGuesser Daily · September 10, 2026 · 1753 – 1904
A sweeping era reveals ambitious feats of monumental engineering, the rise of enduring cultural symbols, and the sudden, fiery devastation wrought by humanity and nature alike.
The scenes are shown below — tap a card to reveal its place and year.
Round 1 · 1814
British Troops Burn the White House
Washington, D.C.
During the War of 1812, British forces captured Washington and set fire to the Presidential Mansion in retaliation for the American burning of York in Ontario.
Round 2 · 1753
Hoisting the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States
After the original bell cracked on its first ring, local founders Pass and Stow recast it. It was then hoisted into the tower of the Pennsylvania State House.
Round 3 · 1888
Construction of the Forth Bridge
Firth of Forth, Scotland
Built after the disastrous collapse of the Tay Bridge, this over-engineered Scottish marvel was the world's first major steel structure.
Round 4 · 1902
Eruption of Mount Pelée
Saint-Pierre, Martinique
A catastrophic pyroclastic flow annihilated the 'Paris of the Caribbean' in seconds, killing 30,000 residents and leaving only one known survivor in a prison cell.
Round 5 · 1904
Baikal Icebreaker Ferry on the Trans-Siberian
Lake Baikal, Russia
Before the rugged Circum-Baikal loop was blasted through the cliffs, trains were disassembled and ferried across the frozen lake on a massive, British-built steam icebreaker.
