A person takes a takes picture at sunset along the Tidal Basin as cherry blossoms enter their peak bloom this week, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

At a Glance

The cherry trees in Washington, D.C., reached peak bloom on Thursday.Every spring, the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., attract 1.5 million visitors to the city.The trees were a gift from Japan in 1912, but having a successful bloom wasn't easy for the U.S. city.

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The cherry trees in Washington, D.C., , meaning 70% of the blossoms on the Yoshino cherry trees have opened. The gorgeous, pink trees , according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Photos show people enjoying their beauty against the background of the city's national monuments this week, as the trees approached peak bloom.

T​he blossoms could stay on the trees for another week if weather is mild, but .

T​he cherry trees were given to Washington, D.C., in 1912 as a gift of friendship from Japan. The tradition of celebrating blooming cherry trees in Japan is centuries old, and the country is home to cherry trees that are .

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A​ successful cherry bloom was a feat for Washington, D.C. , but it was later determined that they were the wrong species of tree. These first trees have since disappeared. The next year, 2,000 more trees arrived in Washington, D.C., but the Department of Agriculture found that the trees were infected with insects and diseased. The trees were destroyed.

F​inally, in March 1912, 3,020 cherry trees of 12 varieties were planted around the city. Many of the same trees can still be viewed today.

T​he first Cherry Blossom Festival was held in Washington, D.C., in 1935. This year, , featuring lots of exciting events including .

Click through the slideshow above to see this year’s beautiful bloom.

M​ORE FROM WEATHER.COM: 10 Places You Have To See In March

1​. Take in the Beautiful Cherry Blossoms in Washington D.C.

Cherry blossoms are seen during sunrise with the Washington Monument in the background and the Tidal Basin in the foreground in Washington, D.C. (Lingxiao Xie via Getty Images)

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