The National

Cherry Blossom Festival

begins today in Washington, DC, making me nostalgic for the city, I called home for years. He is one of the best year in our nation's capital that the pink and white flowers adorn the banks of the Potomac around monuments and palaces of power. This year is even more beautiful that the festival is used to remind and help the people of Japan following the recent earthquake and tsunami.

What both have in common? A bit 'of history in which historical knowledge is hazy - In 1912, Japan provided the United States 3,000 cherry trees that have stood as a symbol of friendship between our two countries since then. In return, we gave them dogwood trees. The first festival to celebrate the trees took place in 1935, and today has become a celebration of two weeks filled with lots of events and festivities.