This photograph is of President Jimmy Carter greeting the Cherry Blossom Princesses in the White House Rose Garden on April 5, 1979. Two years earlier, he commented on the significance of the Cherry Blossom Festival: "Just the fact that the cherry blossoms bloom every year is a true indication of friendship that exists not only among our own people but with our friends in Japan.” Since 1912, the blooming cherry blossoms have signaled the arrival of springtime in Washington D.C. First Lady Helen Taft was responsible for the planting of the 3,020 Japanese cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin and grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Many first ladies have continued to take an active role in the cherry blossom celebrations and in recent years have served as honorary chairs of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
This photograph is of President Jimmy Carter greeting the Cherry Blossom Princesses in the White House Rose Garden on April 5, 1979. Two years earlier, he commented on the significance of the Cherry Blossom Festival: "Just the fact that the cherry blossoms bloom every year is a true indication of friendship that exists not only among our own people but with our friends in Japan.” Since 1912, the blooming cherry blossoms have signaled the arrival of springtime in Washington D.C. First Lady Helen Taft was responsible for the planting of the 3,020 Japanese cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin and grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Many first ladies have continued to take an active role in the cherry blossom celebrations and in recent years have served as honorary chairs of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
