Every year between March and April there is a gorgeous backdrop to Washington, D.C., the blooming of the beautiful cherry trees in the National Mall.
The occasion is always celebrated with the National Cherry Blossom Festival and it’s one of the most beautiful spectacles of nature right in the middle of America’s capital.I missed it for a few days last year, but I intend to go and enjoy it next time! If you go this year, how about sharing a picture with me on my Facebook page?
What do the cherry blossoms mean?
Today, March 27th, 2012, marks the 100 year anniversary of the ceremony held in 1912 where 3020 cherry trees were planted around the Tidal Basin at the National Mall.
The trees were a gift from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to the city of Washington to honor the friendship of the two countries.
It was also a gesture of gratitude because of the US intervention that ended the war between Russia and Japan in 1905.
The Russo-Japanese war was the first war of the 20th century and it was a dispute between the Russian Empire and Japanese Empire over Manchuria and Korea.
After negotiations for a warm water front for the Russians proved futile, Japan attacked and the war begun.
How the Japanese cherry trees got to Washington
The idea to bring cherry trees to Washington had been in the minds of several people before 1912.
In 1885 a woman called Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore who had returned from a trip to Japan made the first efforts to have some brought.
In 1909 she wrote a letter to the then First Lady Helen Herron Taft telling her about the trees and she took her up on the initiative.
In 1910 a first attempt to send 2000 trees had been made, but unfortunately the trees had to be burned because they were infested with parasites.
The Secretary of State Philander C. Knox sent a letter to the Japanese Ambassador informing him of the painful decision to destroy the trees.
But in 1912 a new attempt was successful. On March 26, 3,020 cherry trees arrived in Washington, DC. The trees were comprised of the following varieties:
Prunus x yedoensis “Yoshino”: 1,800
Prunus serrulata “Ariake”: 100
“Fugenzo”: 120
“Fukurokuju”: 50
“Gyoiko”: 20
(These were all planted on the White House Grounds)
“Ichiyo”: 160
“Jonoi”: 80
“Kwanzan”: 350
“Mikurumagaeshi”: 20
“Shirayuki”: 130
“Surugadainioi”: 50
“Takinioi”: 140
Total: 3,020
Source: www.dcpages.com/Tourism/Cherry_Blossoms/cbhist2.html
The next day First Lady Helen Herron Taft, wife of newly elected president Howard Taft presided the ceremony along with Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador to plant the first seeds.
The first two trees planted are still there, marked with a plaque near 17th Street Southwest.
In 1941 when the US and Japan faced each other in battle, four trees were chopped down in an allegedly act of vandalism, right after the Pearl Harbor attack.
But the American people still protected the trees that were called “oriental” until the end of WWII.
In 1965 Japan sent 3800 more trees to renew the gift.
The cherry trees for the Japanese
There are several varieties of cherry trees. Japanese called them “Sakura” and they represent the impermanence of human life and the continued transportation of the Japanese people.
The Cherry Blossom Festival
Celebrated since 1934, the Festival is a set of events surrounding the blooming of the cherry trees.
It’s attended by about 600.000 tourists, making it one of Washington D.C.’s most sought after occasions.
In 2012 the events go from March 20th to April 27th.
The exact date of the blooming of the cherry trees varies from year to year, depending on weather conditions.
In 2012 they are presumed to bloom between the 20th and 27th of March, so, they must have bloomed by now!
The National Cherry Blossom Festival has a beautiful website where you can find all the information!
The events
The events page at the official website lists all the happenings of the five-week festival.
Among the events there are a photography contest (and really, what a wonderful subject), concerts, art exhibitions, lectures, an orchid exhibition, and even a kimono exhibition (how beautiful!).
A great opportunity to experience a little bit of Japanese culture and actually feel its people’s deep appreciation for nature and tradition.
Getting there
Before going to see the National Mall and its gorgeous cherry trees, please take into consideration the following:
The National Mall is HUGE! You are going to be walking A LOT!
Bring REALLY comfortable shoes, plenty of water and sunscreen.
It is easily a two hour walk if you’re quick and don’t stop as much. Or you can choose to be there all day, certainly the scenery is fantastic.
The quiet of the water and the trees, admiring the impressive National Monuments is truly a great plan for a day.
Here’s a map of where the blossoms are:
Or download an even more detailed map that includes the species of the trees. Source: www.dcpages.com
A celebration of peace and beauty, the Festival is not to be missed when planning a trip to Washington!
Have you been to Washington DC during this time of year?
What was the atmosphere like? How did you feel seeing all these flowers surrounding the Tidal Basin?
Share your comments or join me in Facebook!
Resources
- Check out this website for more in depth information and stunning photo galleries up to 1999.
- Official National Cherry Blossom Festival.
- My article about the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.
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