The cherry blossom trees are such an iconic part of Washington D.C. that we couldn’t imagine these beautiful trees not being there. In fact, every year millions of visitors go to the Capitol just to see the cherry blossoms brighten up the National Mall and surrounding Capitol. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a yearly event to celebrate spring in Washington, D.C. and to remember the gift of the Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki, who donated these trees to symbolize the expanding friendship between the United States and Japan.
The very first Cherry Blossom Festival actually didn’t occur until 1934. As time progressed, the celebration expanded its activities and celebrations to where it is today with the Blossom Kite Festival on the National Mall, a National Cherry Blossoms Festival Parade, Sakura Matsuri (Japanese Street Festival) which has live performances, food, merchandise and a martial arts demonstration, the Anacostia River Festival which bring people to the parks, the Newseum which has an open beer and wine bar, sake samples, Asian dishes, origami folding, and a Japanese drum performance, a Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run & 5 K Run-Walk, Annual Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk, the Cinematsuri (Japanese film festival), Japanese Culture Day at the Library of Congress, the National Cherry Blossom Opening Ceremony, the Smithsonian American Art Museum Cherry Blossom Celebration, & a large Fireworks display.
Historically, the first batch of cherry blossom trees, which consisted of 2,000 trees, was donated by the Mayor of Tokyo as a gift to the US. These trees arrived diseased in 1910 and unfortunately had to be burned. The two governments subsequently worked together to bring in 3,000 healthy trees to the US, with the efforts of Dr. Jokichi Takamine, a world famous chemist, Dr. David Fairchild, US Dept of Agriculture, Eliza Scidmore, National Geographic Society board member and First Lady Helen Herron Taft. The second batch arrived in Washington in 1912.
Since this time, the two countries have exchanged gifts including flowering dogwood trees from the US to the people of Japan. Ironically Japan had sustained a major flood that destroyed a lot of their cherry trees so the US gave the Japanese horticulturists many cuttings from the Washington D.C. cherry blossom trees to help Japan replenish Japan’s cherry tree population.
Most of the original trees are gone now because the Sakura cherry tree tends to survive about 25 years and at the most if it is lucky, 50 years. There are only two remaining cherry trees of the original 3,000. They are sagging near the base of the Washington Monument next to the commemorate plaque, stating the day they were planted, March 27, 1912. The other presently living trees in Washington DC are from clones and cuttings of the original lot.
Washington D.C. would not be the same without these beautiful cherry blossom trees. The friendship between the US and Japan has remained strong since WWII and they are still very close allies till today. We are very grateful for the wonderful gift of the cherry blossom trees that grace Washington DC’s landscape with beauty, colorful blossoms and the friendship of two great nations.
It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful
but that it is also tragically short.
-Homaro Cantu
Thank-you for joining me in the third part of my Cherry Blossom series. Please look for my final post which will cover a little more facts about the cherry blossom trees. If you would like to see other posts that I have created, please click HERE.
Great article. I did not know the history of the cherry blossoms in DC. Thanks for the post.
Thank-you so much for viewing my post, and supporting me. It is greatly appreciated! Washington D.C.'s beautiful cherry blossom trees are an iconic part of its history. Again thank-you!
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Always wanted to go there to witness it! Very beautiful and calming, never thought i would like pink as a man till i say a cherry blossom
@errymil thank-you so much for commenting and supporting me. It is deeply appreciated. The cherry blossoms are very delicate but when you see everything around you with trees full of blossoms, you will feel such joy and happiness. Unfortunately it is a fleeting moment and must be enjoyed fully if you catch it. Washing DC's entire mall is surrounded by these beautiful trees and need to be seen at least once in a lifetime. I hope, one day you will have that opportunity. Again Thank-you so much for stopping by! :D
I know, someday hopefully, i want it to be seen in japan. Thank you
Japan was absolutely fantastic. You should go there when the cherry blossoms bloom. You will never forget its beauty!
I am proud that Japanese cherry blossoms are loved abroad.Today's post made me happy.Thank you @cabbagepatch.ありがとう！
The cherry blossom tree is a wonderful tree of Japan. I saw the blossoms on my trip and at Washington DC when I was very young. It is an amazing sight. When I was little my mother would teach me the Sakura song and I learned to play it on the piano. I will always love and honor this beautiful tree of nature. It will always fondly remind me of Japan and its beautiful culture. Thank-you for visiting my post and for your support. It is deeply appreciated. :D
My daughter shares your love for cherry blossoms. Excellent post as always and striking images. Thank you for all your hard work to bring this information to us. Enjoy a lovely weekend. xxx
Your daughter has great taste. The cherry blossom tree is a beautiful sight to see, especially when there are so many of them to brighten up the landscape. Unfortunately it lasts only 1-2 weeks and then you have to wait an entire year to see them again. Appreciate your comments and support. It is greatly appreciated. Have a wonderful weekend with your children and @crazymumzysa, get some need rest and relaxation! :D
The cherry blossoms of the Potomac River are famous.
Including talks planting that cherry tree, it is often taken up in Japanese English textbooks.
It is a reminder of the friendship between the US and Japan. The cherry blossom trees will always remind us of Japan. It will remind my daughter and me of our wonderful trip to Japan. Thank-you Kinakomochi for your support!
As always this is so beautiful it takes my breath away. I cant belileve the beauty of them. Have never been in America and probably wont get there so it is like travelling with you thank you
Thank-you so much Bigbear! You never know what life will bring to us. Maybe one day you can visit America. But I am grateful for the friendship we have. You are a gentle soul with a big heart. Never change. Again, thank-you @bigbear for all of your support. It is deeply appreciated!