Which president accepted the trees from Japan in 1912?
A William McKinley
B William Howard Taft
C Woodrow Wilson
Fact: First lady Helen Taft lobbied the president to accept the gift, and he saw the cherry trees as a chance to improve diplomatic relations with Japan. But he was put in a tough situation when the first shipment of trees was discovered to be infested with insects that would be dangerous to introduce to US soil. Given no choice, Taft ordered for the trees to be burned, potentially offending the gift givers. Japan understood and sent a new shipment of younger trees—grown and shipped with extra precautions—which were planted and thrived.
Correct Answer: William Howard Taft