The Japanese embassy announced that Japan is gifting the United States with an additional 250 cherry blossom trees to celebrate America turning 250 years old.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said last year that the country would be gifting its ally the trees to have a “magnificent celebration.” She also said that Japanese fireworks will be shown in Washington, D.C., on July 4.
Japan first donated 2,000 cherry blossom trees to the U.S. during the Taft administration as a gift of friendship.
In Japan, the tree is an important flowering plant and a symbol of rich meaning in Japanese culture, the National Park Service noted in its history of the trees in Washington.
The United States has been celebrating the friendship with Japan and the beauty of the trees for more than 100 years.
Former first lady Helen Herron Taft had lived in Japan and was familiar with the beauty of the trees. When she was approached by Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore about planting the trees along the Potomac waterfront, she made it happen.
The trees arrived in Washington from Japan on Jan. 6, 1910, but were covered in insects and were diseased. President William Howard Taft consented to burning the trees and they eventually were able to get 3,020 trees to D.C.
They were officially planted March 27, 1912, by the former first lady Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese ambassador. That ceremony inspired the National Cherry Blossom Festival that is held in Washington every year. In total, there are 12 different kinds of trees.
The Japanese government has periodically gifted the U.S. more cherry blossom trees throughout the years, including when former first lady Lady Bird Johnson accepted an additional 3,000.
The festival is meant to symbolize the spirit and traditions of cultural exchange between the U.S. and Japan and the beauty of the flowering trees. Pink cherry blossoms adorn the city in many graphics, including on public transportation.
The festival runs March 20 to April 12, though the exact date of peak bloom for the trees is dependent on weather and other factors each year.
The festival will include a race, a kite festival, a parade and more celebrations.
