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.
Cherry Trees Planted in D.C. from America’s Library
Sakura: Cherry Blossoms as Living Symbols of Friendship (online exhibition)
The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration (streaming webcast)
Blooming Cherry Blossoms, Falling Cherry Blossoms: Symbolism of the Flower in Japanese Culture and History (streaming webcast)
Field of Cherries Inside Adams blog March 23, 2012
Cherry Blossoms, Insects, and Inspections In Custodia Legis blog post March 27, 2012
In the land of the cherry blossom (book published 1915)
The royal vagabond or When the cherry blossoms fall (instrumental song, 1919)
Cherry blossoms historical newspaper coverage
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