Cherry blossoms bloom in Washington D.C.
A sure sign of springtime in Washington D.C. is when the cherry blossom trees come into full bloom along the Tidal Basin.
A sea of pink stretches from national monument to national monument. The 3,000 cherry trees were a gift from Japan in 1912 as a symbol of friendship between the two nations.
Now each year the blooming of the trees is marked with a Cherry Blossom Festival. The celebration grew from humble beginnings to a great spring festival drawing thousands of visitors from around the world.
- People take a photograph around cherry trees as they blossom around the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, D.C, April 10, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, will reach their peak bloom in the next several days. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
- Cherry trees blossom around the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, D.C, April 10, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, will reach their peak bloom in the next several days. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
- The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is seen behind blooming cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin April 10, 2015 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
- Cherry trees blossom near the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 11, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, reached their peak bloom yesterday. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
- Cherry trees blossom around the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 11, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, reached their peak bloom yesterday. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- People walk past cherry trees as they blossom around the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 11, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, reached their peak bloom yesterday. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- People take photographs of cherry trees as they blossom around the Tidal Basin at sunrise near the Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 11, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, reached their peak bloom yesterday. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Cherry trees blossom around the Tidal Basin near the Washington Monument at sunrise on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 11, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, reached their peak bloom yesterday. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Cherry trees blossom around the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial at sunrise on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 11, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, reached their peak bloom yesterday. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Cherry trees blossom around the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 11, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, reached their peak bloom yesterday. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is seen around cherry trees as they blossom around the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 10, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, will reach their peak bloom in the next several days. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- People walk past cherry trees as they blossom around the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 10, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, will reach their peak bloom in the next several days. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Cherry trees blossom around the Tidal Basin on the National Mall near the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, April 10, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, will reach their peak bloom in the next several days. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- People walk alongside the cherry trees as they blossom around the Tidal Basin on the National Mall near the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, April 10, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, will reach their peak bloom in the next several days. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)People walk alongside the cherry trees as they blossom around the Tidal Basin on the National Mall near the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, April 10, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, will reach their peak bloom in the next several days. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- A bicyclist stops to look up at the cherry trees as they blossom around the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 10, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, will reach their peak bloom in the next several days. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)A bicyclist stops to look up at the cherry trees as they blossom around the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, DC, April 10, 2015. The cherry blossoms, originally a gift from Japan, will reach their peak bloom in the next several days. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- The Washington Monument is seen with cherry blossoms across the tidal basin on the National Mall on April 9, 2015 in Washington, DC. The cherry trees on the National Mall, originally a gift from Japan, have begun to blossom with spring’s arrival. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)The Washington Monument is seen with cherry blossoms across the tidal basin on the National Mall on April 9, 2015 in Washington, DC. The cherry trees on the National Mall, originally a gift from Japan, have begun to blossom with spring’s arrival. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- Runners pass under cherry blossoms along the tidal basin on the National Mall on April 9, 2015 in Washington, DC. The cherry trees on the National Mall, originally a gift from Japan, have begun to blossom with spring’s arrival. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)Runners pass under cherry blossoms along the tidal basin on the National Mall on April 9, 2015 in Washington, DC. The cherry trees on the National Mall, originally a gift from Japan, have begun to blossom with spring’s arrival. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- The Jefferson Memorial is seen as cherry trees blossom along the tidal basin on the National Mall April 9, 2015 in Washington, DC. The cherry trees on the National Mall, originally a gift from Japan, have begun to blossom with spring’s arrival. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- Blooming cherry trees are viewed near the Tidal Basin, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- A child poses for a cherry blossom themed photograph near the Tidal Basin, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- The blossoms of cherry trees hang over the Tidal Basin at sunrise, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- The blossoms of cherry trees in bloom along the Tidal Basin, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/GThe blossoms of cherry trees in bloom along the Tidal Basin, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- The Washington Monument is visible behind cherry blossoms in bloom near the Tidal Basis and National Mall, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- The Washington Monument is visible behind cherry blossoms in bloom along the Tidal Basin, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- Cherry blossoms hang over the Tidal Basin at dawn, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Cherry blossoms hang over the Tidal Basin at dawn, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin and take photographs of the blooming cherry trees, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin and take photographs of the blooming cherry trees, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- Visitors walk along the Tidal Basin and take photographs of the blooming cherry trees after sunrise, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- The Washington Monument is visible behind cherry blossoms in bloom near the Tidal Basis and National Mall, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- The Washington Monument is visible behind cherry blossoms in bloom along the Tidal Basin, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- The blossoms of cherry trees in bloom along the Tidal Basin, April 11, 2015 in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- Heidi Pham, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, walks along the Tidal Basin, in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
- A marching band plays on Constitution Avenue during the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, DC. The parade features helium balloons, floats, marching bands and performers, many in blossom-inspired decor. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- People pose for photos dressed in traditional Japanese clothing during the 55th Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival in Washington, DC. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- A man takes a picture of a blossoming cherry tree in Washington, DC. According to the National Parks Service, the cherry trees are expected to be in peak bloom through Tuesday. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A young girl walks past the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial near blossoming cherry trees in Washington, DC. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A woman paints the Jefferson Memorial near blossoming cherry trees in Washington, DC. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A sailboat is seen trough the cherry blossoms on the bank of the Potomac river in Washington, DC. (Mladen Anotnov/AFP/Getty Images )
- A huge Doraemon balloon is moved down Constitution Avenue during the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. (Carolyn Kaster/AP photo)
- A huge cherry blossom balloon is pulled down Constitution Avenue during the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. (Carolyn Kaster/AP photo)
- The Lincoln Memorial and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, are seen with cherry trees at full bloom across the Tidal Basin in Washington DC. (Carolyn Kaster/AP photo)
- A huge Care Bear balloon moves down Constitution Avenue, as the Washington Monument is seen in the background, during the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, in Washington. (Carolyn Kaster/AP photo)
- Cherry blossom balloons are pulled down Constitution Avenue during the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington. In the background at right is the Washington Monument. (Carolyn Kaster/AP photo)
- NHK World mascot Domo poses with the crowd at the 55th annual Sakura Matsuri during the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. Sakura Matsuri celebrates the blooming of the cherry blossom trees, a gift to the U.S. from Japan. (Paul Morigi/AP Images for NHK WORLD TV)