The National Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually each spring in Washington, D.C., and coincides with the blooming of thousands of cherry trees throughout the city.
In 1912, the Japanese bestowed a gift upon the United States in the form of the cherry blossom tree. Today, the blossoms adorn the nation's capital each spring.
To celebrate Japanese-American relations, the festival, held for a week in late March and early April, includes fundraisers, art shows, music, fireworks, a parade, a Japanese street festival and daily cultural performances.
Today more than a million people every year visit Washington, D.C., during the spring to admire the blossoms and attend the festival.
