Tricia Nixon with the Cherry Blossom Princesses 

This photograph is of Tricia Nixon with the 1970 Cherry Blossom Princesses on the South Portico of the White House. First Lady Pat Nixon, Tricia's mother, was caught in a traffic jam during the annual parade, commenting later, I had my own parade and loved it. The Cherry Blossom Queen princesses waved and blew kisses. It was a treat. 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.