It's another example of Americans who just don't get wry British humor.
Sunday marked the 200th anniversary of the burning of the White House during the War of 1812. The British Embassy in Washington, in cheeky fashion, tweeted a joke about the event and the two nations' improved relationship.
Commemorating the 200th anniversary of burning the White House. Only sparklers this time! pic.twitter.com/QIDBQTBmmL— British Embassy (@UKinUSA) August 24, 2014
Apparently, 1814 is murky territory in terms of the "too soon" rule, and the tweet was met with some harsh criticism.
@UKinUSA Even if Talking Heads were singing it, I think this is in extremely POOR TASTE. https://t.co/2qXXTC1UJ8— Sandy (@RightGlockMom) August 24, 2014
Is this shade? RT @UKinUSA: Commemorating the 200th anniversary of burning the White House. Only sparklers this time! pic.twitter.com/pmEZtmmYnC— April (@ReignOfApril) August 24, 2014
WWHHAATT??? Is this suppose to be funny @UKinUSA? https://t.co/9Jqf2BB1ey— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) August 24, 2014
The Embassy issued an apology about two hours later, linking to an essay by Deputy Head of Mission Patrick Davies.
Apologies for earlier Tweet. We meant to mark an event in history & celebrate our strong friendship today http://t.co/gs3heJDMzt— British Embassy (@UKinUSA) August 25, 2014
Marie Harf, a deputy spokesperson for the State Department, also made a humorous remark on the event, acknowledging that the nations' current alliance has changed from "#ItsComplicated" to a more peaceful "#SpecialRelationship" in the last two centuries.
The difference 200 years can make in foreign relations: 8/24/1814: #ItsComplicated vs 8/24/2014: #SpecialRelationship pic.twitter.com/pKGzT8FNr5— Marie Harf (@marieharf) August 24, 2014
NPR covered the anniversary of the Burning of Washington last week, reenacting the event as though it were happening live.