DC’s guide: National Cherry Blossom

If you live in the DMV area, you have probably heard about The National Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival attracts more than hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the country. The event spans over four weeks (March through April) and showcases more than 3000 cherry trees.

The cherry trees were given from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to the city of Washington, DC. The gift was given as a celebration of the growing friendship between the United States and Japan. The National Cherry Blossom Festival was first celebrated on March 27th, 1912 when the First Lady Helen Taft & Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two trees from Japan on the North Bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. In 1915, the United States government had responded with a gift of flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan.

The cherry trees and its celebration by time have become an establishment to the government and people of DC. Annually, the festival and related programs are held by numerous civic groups and organizations. The event is still going strong until this day. This year, the festival spans from March 20th till April 14th. Even if you haven’t made a trip to see them yet, the flowers are still blooming beautifully. If you are looking for a spring destination, don't forget to stop by DC for this iconic spring festival!