b) Cherry Trees

The gift of cherry trees from Japan to the United States, now blooming annually in Washington D.C., is a lasting symbol of peace and friendship between the two nations. In 1912, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gifted the U.S. with 3,000 cherry trees, which were planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. The annual blooming of these cherry blossoms has become a celebrated event, symbolizing the enduring nature of U.S.-Japan relations. The National Cherry Blossom Festival attracts visitors from around the world, celebrating the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the cultural ties between the U.S. and Japan.