Japan is home to many unique and beautiful things, but in the beginning of April there's only one thing that comes to my mind and that's Cherry Blossoms.

Cherry Blossoms can bloom as early as January in the rural places of Japan, but in the large cities, like Tokyo, blooming happens in late March and early April. With the Blooming of Japan's national tree comes the cherished event called the Cherry Blossom Festival where thousands of people flock to Japan's cities to watch the beautiful trees bloom, but where does this custom come from?

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It all began over 100 years ago with a gift to the United States. The National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, D.C. The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and the continued close relationship between the two countries, but this act of fellowship between the two countries had a rocky beginning.

The first shipment of 2,000 Cherry Blossoms arrived in the United States decreased, but this did not stop either party from showing their respect. In a historic event on March 27, 1912, the First Lady of the time, Helen Herron Taft, and the wife of the Japanese ambassador of the time, planted the first two trees in West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C.

Though the origins of the Cherry Blossom Festival was to show good will to the United States, it has become a landmark of Japanese culture and a favorite tourist event for people around the world.