The Tidal Basin in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Symbol of International Friendship
National Mall and Memorial Parks
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 19, 2016
1. A Symbol of International Friendship Marker
On March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft, Viscountess Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador to the United States, and a small group of people assembled at the Tidal Basin. There they planted the first two of more than 3,000 flowering cherry trees that were given to the city of Washington, D.C. by the city of Tokyo. Afterwards Mrs. Taft presented Viscountess Chinda with a bouquet of American Beauty roses. Four years later when the young trees bloomed, the blossoms began to serve as an annual reminder of the friendship between the United States and Japan.
The Two Original Trees
The grove you are looking at is the site of the original planting. Staying on the trails and the walkways helps protect the trees by preventing soil compaction.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas • Peace • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is March 27, 1912.
Location. 38° 53.211′ N, 77° 2.473′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The Tidal Basin. It is on Independence Avenue
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Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Gift of Trees (here, next to this marker); The First Japanese Cherry Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); District of Columbia War Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named District of Columbia War Memorial (about 700 feet away); John Paul Jones Memorial (about 700 feet away); Washington Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washington: The Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washington: The City (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. Japanese Stone Lantern (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Lighting the Way (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The 1912 Cherry Tree Plantings (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Japanese Pagoda (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed);
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 10, 2025
2. A Symbol of International Friendship Marker
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 19, 2016
3. A Symbol of International Friendship Marker
This is a photo of the marker standing with another plaque that has since been replaced.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 2,054 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 29, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on December 10, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on March 29, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
