世界节假日博览 第92期:五月五日节

 Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican celebration that remembers a military victory against the French on May 5, 1862. Cinco de Mayo means May the fifth in Spanish. It is not a public or a national holiday in Mexico. It is largely celebrated¹ in the Mexican state of Puebla, where the victory against French forces took place. Even though it is not a major holiday in Mexico, it is a well-known celebration. This is because Mexicans in the USA and other countries use it as a day to show their pride in their culture. Even non-Mexican Americans celebrate the day in the USA. Many people mistakenly believe Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s Independence Day. This is false. Mexican’s celebrate their nation’s independence on September the 16th.

五月五日节是墨西哥地区性节日，目的是庆祝墨西哥取得军事胜利，1862年5月5日，墨西哥击败法国殖民军。Cinco de Mayo在西班牙语中译为“五月五日”。它并不是墨西哥的公共节日，也不是全国节日。庆祝地多发生于普埃布拉州，那里才是战争主战场。虽然不是主要节日，但却享誉世界。许多美籍墨西哥人，以及其它地区人民通过庆祝该节日宣传本国文化。甚至许多非墨籍美国人也在美国庆祝该节。许多人误以为五月五日节为墨西哥独立日。这是错误认识。9月16日为墨西哥独立日。

Cinco de Mayo today is a much bigger holiday in North America than in Mexico. It has been celebrated in California since 1863. There are festivals and events all over the country to highlight Mexican culture. These include concerts, folk ballet and Mexican dancing. Mexican food and drink are also eaten and drunk in huge quantities. Many schools, especially those with large Mexican communities, take part in awareness² activities to educate students about the importance of the day. One tradition does take place in Mexico every year. Mexican soldiers, sailors and air force pledge³ allegiance to the Mexican flag. This takes place in the capital Mexico City and in all other regional capitals.

如今在北美洲，五月五日节的庆祝规模胜于墨西哥。自1863年起，该节日就在加州兴起。全国会举办庆祝活动，宣传墨西哥文化。包括音乐会、民间芭蕾舞、墨西哥舞蹈。墨西哥饮食也大受欢迎。许多学校，特别是在大型墨西哥社区，人们举行活动，教授学生该节日的重要性。每年，墨西哥都会举办庆祝活动。在这天，墨西哥海陆空士兵会在国旗下宣誓。活动举办地为首都墨西哥城以及其它宗教中心。

1.take place 举行

例句：When does the wedding come off [take place]? 

什么时候举行婚礼?

2.Independence Day 独立纪念日

例句：Today they celebrate their independence day. it’s a national holiday. 

今天他们庆祝独立纪念日，这是全国性节日。

3.public holiday 公共假日

例句：After all it is a public holiday and everybody loves a party. 

毕竟这一天是英国的公共假期，而且大家都爱开派对。

4.well-known 著名的

例句：The well-known professor espies⁴ the smallest slip I make. 

我一有哪怕最小的差错，那位著名的教授都能看出来。

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 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

3 pledge   

n.保证，誓言，抵押，抵押品；vt.保证，誓言，举杯祝...健康

参考例句：

• Take this ring as a pledge of our friendship.收下这枚戒指当作我们友谊的信物。
• The old man is willing to pledge for him.那位老人愿意为他担保。

4 espies   

v.看到( espy的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The well-known professor espies the smallest slip I make. 我一有哪怕最小的差错，那位著名的教授都能看出来。 来自辞典例句