【美国精神】第100期

Explanation:

    The United States has 10 national holidays, or days when all people who work for the national government and most other people do not have to go to work. These holidays are usually on a Monday or Friday so that people can enjoy a three-day weekend, where they have three days in a row (or right after each other) away from work.

    Some of the holidays are found in other countries. For example, New Year’s Day is the first day of the year and is celebrated¹ almost everywhere. Labor² Day is a day to honor (or recognize and respect) workers. Independence Day, in July, is the day when the United States became a country. And Christmas is the day when Christians³ celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

    But other holidays are unique to the United States, meaning that they are not found in most other countries. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, for example, is celebrated on the third Monday in January to honor the man who led the civil rights movement in the United States, or the period of time when African American or black people worked hard to be treated fairly by white people.

    Presidents’ Day is celebrated on the birthday of George Washington, the first president of the United States, but it is supposed to honor (or should honor) all U.S. presidents. Memorial Day in late May honors the Americans who have died for their country, or died while fighting in wars.

    In October, Columbus Day remembers Christopher Columbus, who is credited with (or remembered for) discovering (or finding) North America. One month later, in November, Veterans Day honors all the U.S. veterans, or Americans who have been part of the armed forces.

    Finally, Thanksgiving is celebrated in late November. This holiday is about being grateful (or wanting to say thank you) for the harvest (or the food that was grown). It is also about the early Americans being grateful to the Native Americans who shared their food with them.

 

问题：

Name two national U.S. holidays.

Answer:

• New Year’s Day

• Martin Luther King, Jr., Day

• Presidents’ Day

• Memorial Day

• Independence Day

• Labor Day

• Columbus Day

• Veterans Day

• Thanksgiving

• Christmas

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

3 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。