National Cherry Blossom Festival facts for kids
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a big spring party in Washington, D.C.. It celebrates a special gift of Japanese cherry trees. On March 27, 1912, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gave these trees to Washington, D.C. He wanted to show the growing friendship between the United States and Japan. The festival includes large, colorful balloons, floats, marching bands, music, and fun shows.
Contents
History of the Cherry Trees
How the Trees Came to D.C.
People wanted cherry blossom trees in Washington, D.C. for many years before they arrived. In 1885, Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore came back from Japan. She suggested planting cherry trees along the Potomac River. At first, her idea was turned down. But Eliza kept asking for 24 years!
Other people also brought cherry trees to the area. In 1906, botanist David Fairchild imported 1000 cherry trees from Japan. He planted them at his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He liked them so much that in 1907, he started telling others to plant them in Washington. In 1908, Fairchild gave cherry saplings to D.C. schools for Arbor Day. He even suggested turning the "Speedway" around the Tidal Basin into a "Field of Cherries."
In 1909, Eliza Scidmore decided to buy the trees herself. She wrote to First Lady Helen Herron Taft, the wife of President William Howard Taft. Mrs. Taft loved the idea! She replied that she would get the trees and plant them along an avenue.
Soon after, a Japanese chemist named Takamine Jōkichi was in Washington. He heard about the plan. Takamine asked if Mrs. Taft would accept 2000 more trees. Mr. Midzuno, a Japanese consul, suggested the trees come from Tokyo. Mrs. Taft agreed to accept the 2000 trees.
On April 13, 1909, some cherry trees were planted along the Potomac River. But these were not the famous gift trees.
On January 6, 1910, the 2000 trees from Tokyo arrived. But when experts checked them, they found insects and diseases. To protect local plants, President Taft ordered the trees to be burned. Everyone was very sad.
But Japan did not give up! Takamine offered to send even more trees, 3020 in total. These new trees came from a famous group of trees along the Arakawa River in Tokyo. They arrived in D.C. on March 26, 1912.
Many people worked behind the scenes to make this gift happen. Prince Iyesato Tokugawa played a very important role. He was a powerful leader in Japan and wanted to build friendship with the U.S. He met with President Taft and helped connect the Mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, with U.S. officials. Prince Tokugawa wanted the gift to be seen as coming from Tokyo to Washington, D.C., showing goodwill between the two countries.
The Japanese Gift is Planted
In a special ceremony on March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda (the Japanese ambassador's wife) planted the first two trees. They planted them on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. These two original trees are still there today!
From 1913 to 1920, the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees were planted around the Tidal Basin. Other types of trees were planted in East Potomac Park. In 1927, American schoolchildren re-enacted the planting. This was the first time people celebrated the cherry blossoms in D.C.
A National Celebration
The first "Cherry Blossom Festival" was held in 1934. In 1935, it officially became a national event held every year. The cherry trees were now a big part of the nation's capital.
In 1938, there were plans to cut down some trees to build the Jefferson Memorial. A group of women protested by chaining themselves to the trees! A compromise was reached: more trees would be planted to frame the Memorial. A Cherry Blossom Pageant started in 1940.
On December 11, 1941, four trees were cut down. This happened after the attack on Pearl Harbor. People thought it was an act of anger, but it was never proven. During World War II, the festival stopped. It started again in 1947.
In 1948, the Cherry Blossom Princess and Queen program began. A Princess was chosen from each state, and a Queen reigned over the festival. In 1952, Japan asked for help to restore their cherry trees along the Arakawa River. These were the "parent" trees of D.C.'s blossoms. The National Park Service sent tree cuttings back to Tokyo.
Japan gave a 300-year-old stone lantern to Washington. It celebrates a friendship treaty from 1854. For many years, lighting this lantern started the festival. Later, a special crown with gold and pearls was donated for the Festival Queen.
In 1965, Japan gave 3,800 more Yoshino trees. First Lady Lady Bird Johnson accepted them. Many were planted near the Washington Monument. In 1982, Japanese experts took cuttings from D.C. trees to help replace trees destroyed by a flood in Japan.
In 1994, the Festival was made longer, lasting two weeks. This allowed for more activities. In 1997, cuttings were taken from the original 1912 trees. This helps keep the same type of trees for future plantings. From 2002 to 2006, 400 new trees grown from the original 1912 trees were planted. This makes sure the special trees continue to grow.
Festival Events
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is organized by a group of businesses and community organizations. More than 700,000 people visit Washington each year to see the cherry trees bloom. This marks the start of spring in the capital city.
The festival lasts for three weeks. It usually starts in mid-March with a Family Day and an opening ceremony. Many activities and cultural events happen during the festival. The Blossom Kite Festival is a popular event, usually on the first or second weekend. There are also sushi and sake celebrations, classes about cherry blossoms, and bike tours. You can also find art shows, cultural performances, kimono fashion shows, dance, singing, and martial arts demonstrations.
On one Saturday, a festival takes place on the Southwest Waterfront. After the festival, there's a fireworks show over the Washington Channel. The next morning, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run starts near the Washington Monument. Later that Sunday, leaders gather to light the old Japanese stone lantern.
On the last Saturday of the festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade marches along Constitution Avenue. There is also a big Japanese Street Festival called Sakura Matsuri. It's the largest Japanese Cultural Festival in the United States. In 2016, the Street Festival moved to a new location near the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station.
In 2009, a new event called Cherry Blast was added. It's a cool mix of art, dance, music, and DJs. In 2020, many festival events were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Types of Cherry Trees
Of the 3,020 trees given, most are the Yoshino Cherry (70%) and Kwanzan Cherry (12.6%).
The Yoshino trees have single white blossoms. They make the Tidal Basin look like it's surrounded by white clouds. A few Akebono cherry trees are mixed in. They bloom at the same time and have single, pale-pink blossoms.
The Kwanzan trees grow mostly in East Potomac Park. They bloom about two weeks after the Yoshino. They have clusters of bright pink, double blossoms. East Potomac Park also has Fugenzo trees with rosy pink double blossoms, and Shirofugen trees with white double blossoms that turn pink as they age.
You can also find Weeping Cherry trees. They have different kinds of blossoms, from dark pink to white. They bloom about a week before the Yoshino. Other types include the Autumn Cherry (pink), Sargent Cherry (deep pink), Usuzumi (white-grey), and Takesimensis.
Images for kids
-
Photographers and painters along the Tidal Basin under blossoming cherry trees, 1920.
-
A group gets their picture taken during the 1941 festival.
-
Thousands of people attend the annual Cherry Blossom Festival every spring.
-
Cherry blossoms on the National Mall.
-
Cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin.
-
A detailed close-up of some cherry blossoms.
-
Cherry blossoms surrounding the MLK Memorial.
-
Blossoms at the FDR Memorial.
-
Blossoms with the Jefferson Memorial in the background.
.jpg)
