"Japan's Gift: 250 Cherry Blossom Trees Bloom in Washington, DC"
The Tidal Basin in Washington, DC is a key part of West Potomac Park and is surrounded by several memorials and landmarks. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the water levels in the area and is closely associated with the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The basin was built in the 1800s and is integral to the city's infrastructure, with its bridge and seawall completed in the 1940s by the pioneering engineering firm of Alexander and Repass.