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Cherry Blossoms 2009

With the arrival of spring, the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Washington, D.C., running from March 28 to April 12. This year, peak bloom is expected between April 1-4.

A woman walks beneath the cherry blossoms. The flowers are predicted to reach peak bloom April 1-4.

April 2

A woman walks beneath the cherry blossoms. The flowers are predicted to reach peak bloom April 1-4.

Karen Bleier-AFP/Getty Images

Tourists photograph cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival runs April 4-12.

April 2

Tourists photograph cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival runs April 4-12.

Karen Bleier-AFP/Getty Images

Cherry blossoms frame the Jefferson Memorial at the Tidal Basin. This year marks the 97th anniversary of the original gift of the 3,000 cherry trees by the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, DC in 1912.

March 31

Cherry blossoms frame the Jefferson Memorial at the Tidal Basin. This year marks the 97th anniversary of the original gift of the 3,000 cherry trees by the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, DC in 1912.

Alex Wong-Getty Images

Elle Orathai (L) and Yui Benjawan (R) of Rockville look at the pictures on a camera as they visit the cherry blossoms.

March 31

Elle Orathai (L) and Yui Benjawan (R) of Rockville look at the pictures on a camera as they visit the cherry blossoms.

Alex Wong-Getty Images

The Washington Monument rises behind a profusion of cherry blossoms on the monument grounds in Washington, D.C. Peak bloom is expected between April 1-4.

March 31

The Washington Monument rises behind a profusion of cherry blossoms on the monument grounds in Washington, D.C. Peak bloom is expected between April 1-4.

Bill O'leary-The Washington Post

Cherry blossoms in full bloom decorate the area around the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin in Washington. More than a million people visit the city each year to see the cherry trees and celebrate the arrival of spring.

March 31

Cherry blossoms in full bloom decorate the area around the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin in Washington. More than a million people visit the city each year to see the cherry trees and celebrate the arrival of spring.

AirPhotosLive.com

Visitors from Tokyo stop along the Tidal Basin for a commemorative snapshot. 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., honoring friendship between the U.S. and Japan.

March 31

Visitors from Tokyo stop along the Tidal Basin for a commemorative snapshot. 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., honoring friendship between the U.S. and Japan.

Bill O'leary-The Washington Post

Visitors take in the splendor of the blossoms by the 353-year old Japanese Stone Lantern, center left, near the Tidal Basin.

March 31

Visitors take in the splendor of the blossoms by the 353-year old Japanese Stone Lantern, center left, near the Tidal Basin.

Bill O'leary-The Washington Post

Pedestrians stroll beneath the blossoming cherry trees along the Tidal Basin during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The first two Cherry Blossom trees were planted on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park by First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador.

March 29

Pedestrians stroll beneath the blossoming cherry trees along the Tidal Basin during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The first two Cherry Blossom trees were planted on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park by First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador.

Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images

People walk below the Cherry Blossom trees along the Tidal Basin. With musical and cultural exhibits and performances, the festival will continue through April 12.

March 27

People walk below the Cherry Blossom trees along the Tidal Basin. With musical and cultural exhibits and performances, the festival will continue through April 12.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

Ian Le, 7, of Charlottesville, Va. takes an afternoon walk through a group of Cherry Blossom trees along the Tidal Basin.

March 27

Ian Le, 7, of Charlottesville, Va. takes an afternoon walk through a group of Cherry Blossom trees along the Tidal Basin.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

Recent rainfall in Washington, D.C. prompted the Cherry Blossom trees to begin blossoming. Cultural performances featuring music, dance, and song will be held daily at noon until April 12 at the Jefferson Memorial, pictured in the background.

March 26

Recent rainfall in Washington, D.C. prompted the Cherry Blossom trees to begin blossoming. Cultural performances featuring music, dance, and song will be held daily at noon until April 12 at the Jefferson Memorial, pictured in the background.

Gerald Martineau-The Washington Post

People walk underneath the blossoming cherry trees along the Tidal Basin. The National Cherry Blossom Festival includes cultural performances, art shows and contests, tours both on foot and by boat, and a two-hour bike ride through the nation's capital.

March 29

People walk underneath the blossoming cherry trees along the Tidal Basin. The National Cherry Blossom Festival includes cultural performances, art shows and contests, tours both on foot and by boat, and a two-hour bike ride through the nation's capital.

Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images

Babalu, left, and Panchito, don rabbit ears and make their annual trek to see the cherry blossoms with their owner Cal Farnam of Falls Church, Va.

March 29

Babalu, left, and Panchito, don rabbit ears and make their annual trek to see the cherry blossoms with their owner Cal Farnam of Falls Church, Va.

Katherine Frey-The Washington Post

A man pulls down a Cherry Blossom tree branch to photograph the flowers with his phone between the National Mall and the Tidal Basin.

March 29

A man pulls down a Cherry Blossom tree branch to photograph the flowers with his phone between the National Mall and the Tidal Basin.

Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images

Cherry blossoms bloom near the Tidal Basin. The entire blooming period has been predicted for March 28 to April 11.

March 30

Cherry blossoms bloom near the Tidal Basin. The entire blooming period has been predicted for March 28 to April 11.

Hyungwon Kang-Reuters

A young couple photographs their child near trees in bloom.

March 30

A young couple photographs their child near trees in bloom.

Win Mcnamee-Getty Images

Gallery Credits:
Producer Dee Swann Text Editor Ryan Suarez

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