This week marks the start of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan to the city of Washington, DC, in 1912. The National Park Service says that during a two-week period each spring, the festival draws more than one million visitors to the National Mall, aka America’s Front Yard. In Japan, the custom of picnicking under the cherry blossoms is known as ‘hanami,’ and it’s said to be more spectacular at night, when revelers hang lanterns from the tree branches to illuminate the blooms.
Cherry blossoms at the National Mall, Washington, DC
Today in History
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A Christmas market with a long history
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Splügen Pass, Switzerland
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An avian predator built for the snow
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World Rivers Day
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Green sea turtle on World Oceans Day
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In celebration of America’s national bird
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A whale of a hug
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International Museum Day
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St. Patricks Day in County Waterford, Ireland
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World Sea Turtle Day
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Whangārei Falls in New Zealand
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Avatar Mountains, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
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North Sea at sunset, Norddorf, Germany
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A shell of many colors
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The scene of a literary crime
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One giant leap for penguins
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Málaga, Spain
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Brotherly cubs
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Mada’in Saleh archeological site in Saudi Arabia
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Bidding summer adieu
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Siblings Day
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A perfect day to fly your flag
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Gauchos showcase Argentina’s independent spirit
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Trevi in bloom
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Of balloons and lost pantaloons
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Native American Heritage Day
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It s Slovenia s Independence and Unity Day
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A throng of ice and spires
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Happy Astronomy Day!
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Take the Stairs Day