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 —

A Symbol of International Friendship Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 19, 2016

1. A Symbol of International Friendship Marker

Inscription. 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 Visountess 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.

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. Marker is on Independence Avenue Southwest east of West Basin Drive Southwest, on the right when traveling east. The markers border the sidewalk on Independence Avenue heading east, directly before arriving at the Kutz Bridge. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 9810 Kutz Bridge, Washington DC 20024, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lighting the Way (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); a different marker also named John Paul Jones Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washington Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washington: The Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.

More about this marker.
Captions:
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.

Plaque on commemorative stone.

First Lady Helen Herron Taft

Viscountess Iwa Chinda

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 19, 2016

2. A Symbol of International Friendship Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 726 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.