The Story of Washington, D.C.'s Cherry Blossom Festival
A history of the world-famous cherry trees of Washington, D.C.
Each spring, from late March to early April, Washington, D.C. bursts into a frenzy of delicate pink flowers. The US capital’s annual cherry tree bloom is a world-famous attraction. Over 3,700 cherry trees line stately streets and river banks, captivating visitors with their drifting petals. From popular spots like the Tidal Basin, the capital’s iconic monuments soar above the flowering trees, and music and parades fill the streets. The views and celebrations draw in around 1.5 million visitors every year.
How did the National Cherry Blossom Festival become such an important part of Washington, D.C.’s identity? Read on to find out more.
Japanese Cherry Blossom Festivals
The beauty of blooming cherry and plum trees have long been recognized in nations like Japan, China, and Korea. Japan in particular is famous for its custom of hanami, or flower viewing. Every year, many Japanese families greet springtime with a day outdoors under the cherry blossoms. Viewing parties embark with straw mats, or goza, as well as food, music, drinks, and games. Large crowds can gather in the most beautiful places, and the festivities last all day.
Hanami is a tradition that began within the Imperial Courts of the Heian Period, around 1,000 years ago. The ancient nobility of Japan enjoyed similar leisurely trips, which inspired centuries of art and poetry. Since that time, the practice has spread into Japan’s cultural mainstream. Hanami is still a beloved celebration today, and Cherry Blossom Festivals can be found all across the nation.
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The First Cherry Trees of Washington, D.C.
American visitors to Japan in the late 1800s were quick to appreciate its cherry trees. Among them was National Geographic board member Eliza Scidmore, who traveled to Japan frequently. Scidmore led the effort to bring cherry trees to D.C., though her initial attempts fell on deaf ears. Undeterred, she and other private citizens began importing Japanese trees for their own gardens. Her plans to beautify D.C. gained more traction with the rise of Arbor Day. Under the Taft Administration, she finally found a willing audience. President William Howard Taft and his wife, Helen Herron Taft, had also traveled to Japan and were on good terms with its most prominent diplomat, Prince Iyesato Tokugawa. Early on, the Japanese chemist Jōkichi Takamine also championed the cause. Seeing an opportunity to improve relations between the two countries, Takamine secured 2,000 cherry trees as a gift to the United States from the City of Tokyo.
These initial cherry trees arrived in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 1910 after a long journey from Seattle. Unfortunately, upon inspection, they were found to be infested with parasites that could spread to surrounding trees. As a consequence, these trees were burned with formal apologies from all sides. Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there.
Importing New Trees
No one wanted to leave the question of cherry trees for D.C. on such a sour note. And so, the City of Tokyo proposed another gift, this time over 3,000 cherry trees selected from its finest collections. On March 26, 1912, these 3,020 cherry trees arrived in the United States. They passed inspection and were soon planted around the city, with many more to follow. As the city grew and changed, so did the location of the trees, but those removed were always replaced elsewhere. You can still visit the first two trees planted at their home near the John Paul Jones Memorial.
Washington, D.C.’s Cherry Blossom Festival
The first official Cherry Blossom Festival was held in D.C. in 1935, but the trees had already been celebrated for decades. The festival was halted during World War II but resumed again by 1948. Since then, the cherry trees have served as an important diplomatic tie between the United States and Japan, as well as a source of joy for everyone visiting the capital in spring.
You can learn more about the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and perhaps even plan your own vacation, at its official website here.
References
“History of the Cherry Trees - Cherry Blossom Festival (U.S. National Park Service).” National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/history-of-the-cherry-trees.htm.
Karan, Pradyumna. Japan in the 21st Century: Environment, Economy, and Society. Illustrated, University Press of Kentucky, 2005.
“National Cherry Blossom Festival - March 20th to April 11th, 2021.” National Cherry Blossom Festival, nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
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