1912day.year
First Lady Helen Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, plant two Yoshino cherry trees on the northern bank of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the origin of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
On March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda of Japan planted the first Yoshino cherry trees along the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. This ceremonial act inaugurated what would become the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.
The gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington symbolized the strengthening friendship between the United States and Japan. On a crisp morning in 1912, First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda selected two Yoshino saplings and planted them on the Tidal Basin’s northern bank. The simple ceremony, attended by dignitaries and schoolchildren, captured public imagination and sparked enthusiasm for the blossoms. Over the years, the surviving trees flourished, and the blossoming season became a major tourist attraction. In 1935, the festival was officially established, celebrating the enduring spirit of international goodwill. Today, the National Cherry Blossom Festival draws visitors from around the world to witness the iconic blooms each spring.
1912
Helen Taft
cherry trees
Potomac River
Washington, D.C.
National Cherry Blossom Festival