Its Cherry Blossom time here in DC!! I've missed this both summers I've been here now and I'm so excited to see them- hopefully this weekend. Thanks to all the random cold weather, peak blossoming time has delayed over and over. It is now April 6-8th, meaning this weekend and next weekend should be perfect times to see them. We'll be enjoying them this weekend with friends, as well as going to the Fireworks show for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Hopefully they'll still be around next weekend for my mom to see too!
Aren't these pictures beautiful?
Cherry Blossom history (since I'm a nerd): Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and the continued close relationship between the two countries. Over the years, the gift giving has been reciprocated, with the US giving dogwood trees to the people of Japan. In 1981, we were able to give Japan cuttings from the cherry blossom trees to replace some of their cherry trees that were destroyed in a flood.
First Ladies of the US have been big supporters of the Cherry Blossom celebrations, starting with First Lady Taft. Historically, many were involved in events through the National Conference of State Societies’ Princess Program.All first ladies in recent years have served as Honorary Chair, many participating as well. In 1999, First Lady Hillary Clinton took part in a tree planting ceremony. In 2001, First Lady Laura Bush greeted guests with remarks at the Opening Ceremony. Honorary Chair First Lady Michelle Obama was involved in 2012, planting a cherry tree in West Potomac Park among dignitaries and guests. Today, more than 1.5 million people visit Washington, DC each year to admire the blossoming cherry trees and participate in diverse programming that heralds spring in the nation’s capital. (courtesy of National Cherry Blossom History.org)
Fun Fact- it is a federal crime to pick a cherry blossom from the trees that surround the Washington DC Tidal Basin! Glad I learned that beforehand!
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