FAQ About Cherry Blossom Festivals

The Gift of Cherry Blossom Trees:

One of the most heartwarming anecdotes associated with cherry blossoms involves the gift of cherry blossom trees from Japan to the United States. In 1912, the Mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, gifted 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C., as a symbol of friendship and goodwill between the two nations. The trees were planted around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.

However, this gesture faced a setback when the trees arrived infested with pests. In order to prevent the spread of insects harmful to American trees, President William Howard Taft ordered the trees to be burned. This incident strained diplomatic relations, but in 1913, the Mayor of Tokyo sent another 3,020 cherry trees as a replacement.

This time, the trees were carefully inspected and deemed healthy. On March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two cherry trees along the Tidal Basin, officially marking the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This annual event has since become a symbol of the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan.

The story highlights the resilience of diplomatic relations and the enduring legacy of the cherry blossom trees, which continue to bring joy to millions of visitors during the annual festival in Washington, D.C.