Japan recognized as D.C.'s cherry blossoms bloom

[dkf]

The flowering trees that symbolize friendship between the U.S. and Japan are blooming for the 99th time in Washington in the wake of one of the world's worst natural disasters.

Before the two-week National Cherry Blossom Festival opens today, organizers held a fundraising walk and vigil Thursday evening among the trees for victims of Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

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The cherry blossom tradition began with a gift of trees from Japan in 1912. About 100 of the original 3,000 trees are still growing, while thousands of others have been replaced or grown from the original trees' genetic line. During World War II, the festival was suspended.

Many of Washington's 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees that circle the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial were beginning to bloom. The National Park Service has predicted they'll be in peak bloom next Tuesday through Friday.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/virginia-news/2011/mar/26/TDMET04-japan-recognized-as-cherry-blossoms-bloom-ar-929146/

Link fixed.

[Lost-in-FL]

1. Page not found- 404 error seen...

[dkf]

2. Oops. Thanks.

[Taverner]

3. Slightly off topic: Why is it so many capitols have cherry blosom trees?

Sacramento, Salem, DC, Olympia....

[dkf]

4. I had no idea. Interesting.