Cherry Blossom Festival

The National Cherry Blossom Festival annually commemorates the gift of cherry trees from the country of Japan. In 1912, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gave the USA 3,000 of the trees to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan. By 1915, the United States government had responded with a gift of flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan. The trees surround the Tidal Basin of the Potomac River. In 1981, the cycle of giving came full circle. Japanese horticulturalists came to take cuttings from the D.C. trees to replace Yoshino cherry trees in Japan which had been destroyed in a flood. With this return gift, the trees again fulfilled their roles as a symbol and agent of friendship. - information taken from the official website

Gorgeous Blossoms!

Around the Tidal Basin

The Jefferson Memorial

From the steps of the Jefferson Memorial

FDR Memorial

Me with "Fala" Roosevelt

At the FDR Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Reflecting Pool at the Korean War Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial

From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

Looking back at the Lincoln Memorial

Remembering Nurses

The Washington Monument

The Vietnam Memorial

Vietnam Memorial - Fallen Soldiers

All 50 States surround the central pavilion

Look which two states are right next to each other!

People enjoying the blossoms along the Potomac River.