Blossoming Diplomacy

ISSUE 52 – STEVE KOVACS FUN WITH MAPS

DAILY FEATURE: By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 18, 2020) – In Issue 52 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps feature we learn where the Cherry Blossoms in D.C. came from.

Blossoms of Washington.

To strengthen the ties between the US and Japan, the mayor of Tokyo had gifts in mind to be displayed in the US capital.  He decided to present “Sakura” which are dear to the Japanese and when they bloom, the Japanese celebrate by meditating on life’s nature, and spend time with family and friends.

The decision to give 2000 “Sakura” was reached 111 years ago today.   The first two were planted by First Lady Taft and the wife of the Japanese Ambassador to the US in March 1912.

You likely figured out that we are talking about the cherry trees of Washington, D.C.

The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival has been held since 1935, but only the trees celebrated this year, due to you know what…

Here is a somewhat unusual map of Washington, D.C. by Captain Greene from 1885, colorfully showing the roads and railroads of the city.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Click here to visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.