A SECRET tunnel has been discovered under the floorboards of the US Capitol.

The passageway is located in the Lincoln room, which was used as a post office during the 1800’s.

There was once a staircase down to the tunnel, which has since been closed off.

According to legend, British soldiers used the stairs when they breached the Capitol in 1814 when “attacking” President George Washington.

Before that, they set fire to the building and torched the White House during the War of 1812.

Storms put out the fires, and military personnel were called to DC to defend it from UK forces.

The War of 1812 ended in 1815, but the tunnels remain, as reported by What’s The Jam.

In a video, Congressman Tim Moore, a Republican from North Carolina, can be seen picking up a piece of flooring before showing the staircase below.

A few steps leading to an outside space are revealed.

He said that construction started in the 1700s, and the old stairs were closed off, now being a “hidden secret” in the Capitol.

He goes on to tell the story of it being the staircase that British soldiers used to breach the building.

The Congressman also said that the room is one of his favourite places in the complex to take tours through and speak about, including the fact that it was the place where Lincoln would read letters by the fire.

Moore added that sometimes, when he gives tours to small groups, they shimmy through the hole and walk down the stairs.

“Believe it or not, my big self has actually gotten down, and more importantly, out of this hole,” he joked in the video.

SHOCKING DETAIL

History buffs were wow’ed by the secret passage and wondered what other secrets are hiding in plain sight in Washington DC.

“Fun piece of history. Thank you for sharing,” wrote one stunned viewer on X.

Another person said, “Thank you Mr. Moore. Very interesting.”

However, others had more questions about one key detail that the congressman failed to point out.

The stairs appeared to be covered with signatures and writing, leaving viewers wondering what the messages were all about.

“Who’s been down there writing on the steps?” asked one user.

Another person said, “Why is there graffiti on wood around the opening?”

“From all the graffiti on the stairs, looks as if a middle school was down there,” joked a different viewer.