The mayor of Lebanon, Missouri declared Sept. 20 as a “Day of Friendship” between the Republic of Lebanon and the City of Lebanon, according to the Embassy of Lebanon in Washington, D.C.

Mayor Jared Carr issued a proclamation to celebrate the city’s “bond with the country of Lebanon not only through name, but friendship.”

Lebanese photographer Fadi Boukaram planted a cedar tree in the city to mark the occasion. Boukaram has made it his mission to visit every city named Lebanon in the U.S.

RELATED: Lebanese man plants cedar tree in town of Lebanon, Tennessee

“Our bond with the city of Lebanon extends back well over half a century, and we look forward to fostering deeper cultural ties and cooperation through our mutual respect of one another,” the Embassy said in a statement.

READ: Full text of the mayor’s proclamation:

WHEREAS, The city of Lebanon and communities across America share a bond with the country of Lebanon not only through name, but friendship; and