Each year, the Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Washington DC on April 14, including the cherry blossom Parade. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Japan gifting Washington DC, 3,000 cherry blossom trees in 1912, an annual reminder of the friendship shared between U.S. and Japan. The trees have withstood the test of time and nearly a century later, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is holding a grand celebration with a five week spectacular which kicked off on March 20 and will continue until April 27. The celebration will include exhibitions, rich culture and traditions and performances by renowned artists. The parade was held on April 14. That's when the blossoms were at it's peak. There are tens of thousands of visitors and tourists visiting the Cherry Blossom festival at this time of the year in Washington DC and other places where cherry trees bloom in the U.S.
Here's a bit of the history on the cherry trees of Washington DC. On March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Iwa Chinda, wife of Japanese amabassador to U.S. and a small group of people gathered at Tidal Basin. They planted the first two of the 3000 cherry trees that were given to the city of Washington DC by the city of Tokyo.
Cherry Trees first planted in Tidal Basin - March 27, 1912
Cherry Blossom Celebration 2012 Washington D.C. - March 20 to April 27
Cherry Blossom Parade Washington D.C. - April 14
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