Cherry blossoms in bloom

  After a cold start to spring, the cherry blossoms are in bloom in Washington, NBC’s Lester Holt reports.

How Cherry Blossoms Came into Budding US Popularity

The pink cherry blossoms that explode into bloom every spring in Washington, D.C., are famous around the country, flowering due to a courtesy gift from Japan more than a century ago. But one of the first attempts to send the flowers over to the capital didn't go so well. Full story

Why a Cold Spring Delays Cherry Blossom Blooming

It's been a dull spring for cherry blossom watchers so far. Blossoms in Philadelphia did not open until early April. Usually, the flowers appear anywhere from mid- to late March. Festivals in New York and Washington are experiencing a similar delay due to the ongoing cold and wet spring. Full story