After a doggedly cold winter that lasted until a few short weeks ago, visitors and locals alike enjoyed idyllic spring weather for cherry blossom season. The trees were a gift from Japan 102 years ago.
Large Crowds Enjoy Washington's Cherry Blossom Season
![Crowds of people enjoy the famed cherry blossoms, a gift from Japan 102 years ago, Tidal Basin, Washington, DC, April 13, 2014. (Elizabeth Pfotzer/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/05c70af9-a9e0-4ca3-9385-df7b5b3d06fb_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
1
Crowds of people enjoy the famed cherry blossoms, a gift from Japan 102 years ago, Tidal Basin, Washington, DC, April 13, 2014. (Elizabeth Pfotzer/VOA)
![A visitor attempts to photograph his dog under the cherry trees at the Tidal Basin, Washington, DC, April 13, 2014. (Elizabeth Pfotzer/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/b4c6414a-69c8-4842-8dfc-92b9c137936f_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
2
A visitor attempts to photograph his dog under the cherry trees at the Tidal Basin, Washington, DC, April 13, 2014. (Elizabeth Pfotzer/VOA)
![Visitors photograph the cherry blossoms in peak bloom around the Tidal Basin, Washington, DC, April 13, 2014. (Elizabeth Pfotzer/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/f8b5a814-7068-4fac-a196-9e6cf945b6e8_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
3
Visitors photograph the cherry blossoms in peak bloom around the Tidal Basin, Washington, DC, April 13, 2014. (Elizabeth Pfotzer/VOA)
![The Jefferson Memorial can be seen through cherry blossoms in full bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, April 13, 2014. (Elizabeth Pfotzer/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/6b882da7-34ff-4434-964d-468f30d8f750_w1024_q10_s.png)
4
The Jefferson Memorial can be seen through cherry blossoms in full bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, April 13, 2014. (Elizabeth Pfotzer/VOA)