It has been one year since the infamous storming of America’s Capitol in Washington D.C. January 6, 2021 will go down in history as a day that tested the strength of American democracy. Last January was the first time that our country’s Capitol has been invaded since the British burned Washington D.C. in 1812. 

Even one year after the riot, the memories of the fateful day still burn clearly in the minds of many Americans. Much investigation and speculation has occurred over the past year trying to uncover the answers of why the riot took place and who was responsible. Although the violence has ceased, the riot has had many lasting effects on our country and has tarnished the American name. 

Throughout the year, information concerning the riots has continued to reveal itself. Since the insurrection, a total of 738 people have been arrested and charged for their involvement in the riot. Although many people involved in the insurrection originally walked free, in the past year, the FBI has tracked down many rioters through videos and leads from the infamous day.  Charges have varied from obstruction of an official proceeding all the way to assault. 

Seventy one of those individuals arrested have received criminal sentences. Thirty one of these rioters have been sentenced to varying periods of incarceration, with Robert Scott Palmer receiving the longest sentence of 63 months after assaulting a police officer with a fire extinguisher. 

Despite all of the investigation and arrests following the insurrection, many Americans still remain dumbfounded how close our country’s democratic system came to collapse. We have always valued the order and stability of our nation and how or democratic system is one of the strongest in the world. The Capitol riot showed many citizens that our country is not as perfect as it seemed.