Today in History: Cherry Blossoms
Today in History–March 27–the Library of Congress features Washington D.C.‘s cherry trees. On this day in 1912 two Yoshino cherry trees were planted on the northern bank of the Potomac River Tidal Basin by First Lady Helen Herron Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, the Japanese ambassador’s wife, to celebrate the Japanese government’s gift of 3,000 trees to the United States (the Japanese gave 3,800 more trees in 1965). In addition to the Tidal Basin, trees were planted near the site of the future Jefferson Memorial, in East Potomac Park, and on the White House grounds. Each year the U.S. capital celebrates the spring and the Japanese-American relationship with the Cherry Blossom Festival. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section and reviewing the links below.
Sakura: Cherry Blossoms as Living Symbols of Friendship online exhibition | gallery tour video
Cherry blossom primary source set
Cherry blossoms historical newspaper coverage
In the land of the cherry blossom 1915 book
The royal vagabond or When the cherry blossoms fall 1919 song
Library blog posts & articles
- The Beauty of Enduring Friendship: Cherry Blossoms Picture This
- Celebrating Japanese Culture Day and Japanese Cherry Trees at the Library Minerva’s Kaleidoscope
- Cherry Blossoms Available in Print and Online Picture This
- Cherry Blossoms, Insects, and Inspections In Custodia Legis
- Cherry Blossom Time Inside Adams
- Cherry Trees Planted in D.C. from America’s Library
- Crafting from the Collections: Cherry Blossoms Minerva’s Kaleidoscope
- Field of Cherries Inside Adams
- How Do You Hold the Memory of a Cherry Blossom in Your Hand? Bookmarked
- Photographers and the Cherry Blossoms of D.C. Picture This
- Sheet music of the week: It’s STILL Cherry Blossom Time Edition In the Muse
- Spring Fling at the Library Picture This
- Stumpy’s Legacy: Laws on Plant Patents and Propagation In Custodia Legis
- Viewing Cherry Blossoms: A Japanese Tradition in America Folklife Today
- Who Were the First Japanese to Visit Washington? 4 Corners of the World