First Lady Laura Bush Poses with the Cherry Blossom Princesses

This photograph is of First Lady Laura Bush posing with Cherry Blossom Princesses and the Goodwill Ambassadors in the East Room of the White House on March 31, 2004. In 2001, Mrs. Bush opened the Cherry Blossom Festival stating, The cherry trees in bloom represent the coming of spring and the enduring relationship between the United States and Japan We are grateful for the beautiful gift exchange that has taken place over the past century. Beyond the beautiful trees, we have much more to share and offer one another, from trade and commerce, to education, art and culture. 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.