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Cherry Blossoms in Bloom in Washington
The pink and white cherry blossoms that color the U.S. capital and draw a million visitors each spring began with trees that have survived for a century. 100 years ago this month, the first of 3,000 were planted as part of a gift from the city of Tokyo as a symbol of friendship.
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Cherry blossoms blooming near the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, March 19, 2012. (AP)
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People row boats under the canopy of the cherry blossoms at the Imperial Palace moat in Tokyo. Japan gave 3,020 cherry blossom trees as a gift to the United States in 1912 to celebrate the nations' then-growing friendship. (AP)
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This year marks the 100th anniversary of the gift from Japan to the United States. (Photo: Danny Mac)
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Cherry blossom trees bloom at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial along the Tidal Basin in Washington. (VOA - Z. Hoke)