Last Updated on April 1, 2022
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 | 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
- The Beauty of Enduring Friendship: Cherry Blossoms Picture This April 5, 2013
- Celebrating Japanese Culture Day and Japanese Cherry Trees at the Library Minerva’s Kaleidoscope April 1, 2022
- Cherry Blossoms Available in Print and Online Picture This March 13, 2020
- Cherry Blossoms, Insects, and Inspections In Custodia Legis March 27, 2012
- Cherry Blossom Time Inside Adams April 2, 2010
- Crafting from the Collections: Cherry Blossoms Minerva’s Kaleidoscope March 29, 2021
- Field of Cherries Inside Adams
- Photographers and the Cherry Blossoms of D.C. Picture This March 16, 2016
- Sheet music of the week: It’s STILL Cherry Blossom Time Edition In the Muse April 18, 2012
- Spring Fling at the Library Picture This April 4, 2018
- Viewing Cherry Blossoms: A Japanese Tradition in America Folklife Today March 25, 2016
- Who Were the First Japanese to Visit Washington? 4 Corners of the World June 13, 2016
[…] Today in History: Cherry Blossoms […]