Each year, Washington, D.C. attracts millions of visitors eager to witness the enchanting sight of cherry trees in full bloom, according to the National Park Service.
On Thursday, the National Park Service released its much-anticipated forecast for when the famous cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin and National Mall are expected to be at their most vibrant this spring.
Although the precise timing is influenced by weather conditions, peak bloom is projected to occur from March 29 to April 1, as per the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior.
Once the blossoms reach their peak, they typically stay on the trees for about seven to ten days.
The arrival of cherry blossoms draws countless visitors to the capital each year, eager to enjoy this spectacular natural event.
“As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, the cherry blossoms serve as a reminder of our nation’s enduring resilience and the duty we have to preserve the places that define our history,” stated Jessica Bowron, acting director of the National Park Service, in a news release.
In 1912, Japan gave the United States 3,000 cherry trees as a gift of friendship.
First lady Helen Herron Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two cherry trees on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin, about 125 feet south of what is now Independence Avenue, SW. The trees still stand there today.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., will go from March 20 through April 12. The festival celebrates the friendship between the U.S. and Japan, and its events include an opening ceremony, live music and a parade on April 11.
Due to renovation work on the Tidal Basin, walkways through the restoration zone —between the Jefferson Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial — will remain closed throughout the bloom period, NPS said.
