000_Was8495736

000_Was8495736

A man photographs blooming cherry trees next to the Japanese Lantern April 9, 2014 near the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The trees should be at peak bloom over the coming weekend.The first cherry trees were ceremonially planted by First Lady Helen Taft and Japanese Viscountess Iwa Chinda on March 27, 1912. Over 3,000 trees were planted throughout the modern National Mall and Memorial Parks as a gift from Yokohama, Japan to Washington. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER