President and Mrs. Nixon Stroll Among the Cherry Blossoms

This black and white photograph is of President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon strolling among the cherry blossoms planted along the Tidal Basin on April 14, 1969. Since 1912, the blooming cherry blossoms have signaled the arrival of springtime in Washington D.C. First Lady Helen Taft was responsible for the planting of the 3,020 Japanese cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin and grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Many first ladies have continued to take an active role in the cherry blossom celebrations and in recent years have served as honorary chairs of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.