March 27th in history – Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC.

American first lady Helen Herron Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador planted the first two cherry blossom trees in Washington, D.C., marking the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

The history of cherry blossoms in the United States dates back to 1912 when the Mayor of Tokyo gifted 3,000 cherry blossom trees to the city of Washington, D.C. as a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States. The gift was intended to celebrate the growing friendship between the two nations and to commemorate the successful negotiations of the 1905 Taft-Katsura agreement, which solidified diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The first two cherry blossom trees were planted by the First Lady of the United States, Helen Herron Taft, and the wife of the Japanese ambassador on March 27, 1912. Over the years, more cherry blossom trees were planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C., which became a symbol of the friendship between the two nations.

Today, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossoms. The festival includes a variety of events, such as parades, musical performances, and cultural demonstrations, and attracts visitors from around the world. The blooming of the cherry blossoms is also celebrated in other cities across the United States, including San Francisco and New York City.