Cherry blossom festival 2008

The National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan to Washington. The trees symbolize the growing friendship between the U.S. and Japan. They bloom around the tidal basin at the end of March/beginning of April. It is a two-week long celebration involving parades, paddleboats, origami classes, and concerts. This was our first year to go, and it was a breathtaking sight. The National Monuments are within walking distance of the tidal basin and are always fun to visit multiple times.