世界节假日博览 第146期:劳动节

 　　Labor¹ Day is a national holiday in the United States. It is celebrated² on the first Monday in September. It is a time for American workers to celebrate their efforts. It is also when most Americans mark the end of the summer. The holiday started in 1894. The Central Labor Union in New York City campaigned for "a day off for the working citizens”. Working conditions were much harder back then and there were few holidays and times for rest. Many people worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week. The original Labor Day celebrations were street parades and festivals for workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. There were also speeches by important men and women.

　　美国的劳动节在每年九月的第一个星期一举行，是联邦的法定节假日，用以庆祝工人的贡献。对许多美国人来说，劳动节的到来也意味着夏季的结束。这一节日始于1894年。纽约的中心工会举办了“为工人放一天假”的活动。当时工人的工作环境比现在艰苦得多，很少有假期和时间能休息。许多工人一星期七天连续工作，每天工作12个小时。最初的劳动节庆典是为工人和他们的家庭举行的街道游行和庆祝活动。这成为劳动节的庆祝方式。重要人物也会进行演讲。

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　　Today, most Americans view Labor Day as a day of rest and an opportunity to look at street parades. Many families have picnics or barbecues in the daytime and attend fireworks displays in the evening. There are many community events, often involving sports. Families with children often use the holiday to go on a final trip before school starts again in September. Labor Day is an important date in the sporting calendar. It marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. The tradition of speeches continues, although the speeches tend to be by politicians trying to get more votes in the run-up to elections³. The big speeches on labor issues happen on May Day, another holiday that celebrates workers.

　　如今，大部分美国人把劳动节视为休息日和看街道游行的机会。许多家庭都会在那天进行野餐或烧烤，参加晚上的烟火表演。同时劳动节也有很多社区活动，通常都是运动项目。许多有孩子的家庭都会利用这时间在九月开学前做最后一次旅行。劳动节在体育史上是重要的一天。它标志着美国职业橄榄球联盟和大学橄榄球赛季的开始。尽管很多政治家的演讲是为了拉选票，但演讲的传统仍被保留了下来。关于劳动问题的大型演讲在五一国际劳动节举办，以此来为劳动者们庆祝。

　　1.It is a time to…是时候…

　　例句：It is a time to enjoy their favorite 'Roasted Turkey' with the family.

　　这是与家人分享最喜好的烤火鸡的时辰。

　　2.have picnics 野餐

　　例句：We laugh and sing and have picnics together.

　　我们笑着唱着并且在一起野餐。

　　3.go on a trip 旅行

　　例句：Go on a trip elsewhere⁴ and get away from your work and your life.

　　离开你的工作你的生活，去任何一个地方旅行。

　　4.NFL 美国职业橄榄球联盟

　　例句：

　　Though she was touted⁵ as the daughter of a former NFL star, in reality, Brittnyhadn't seen her father in 17 years.

　　尽管她被吹擂成前全国橄榄球联盟球星的女儿，但是现实中，布兰特妮已经17年未见她的爸爸了。

1 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。

2 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。

3 elections   

n.选举，当选，推举( election的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Republicans got shellacked in the elections. 共和党在选举中一败涂地。
• He emerged victorious in the elections. 他在竞选中脱颖而出获得胜利。

4 elsewhere   

adv.在别处，到别处

参考例句：

• Our favourite restaurant was full so we had to go elsewhere.我们最喜欢去的那家饭店客满了，因此不得不改去别处。
• I have half a mind to move elsewhere.我有点想搬到别处去。

5 touted   

v.兜售( tout的过去式和过去分词 )；招揽；侦查；探听赛马情报

参考例句：

• She's being touted as the next leader of the party. 她被吹捧为该党的下一任领导人。
• People said that he touted for his mother and sister. 据说，他给母亲和姐姐拉生意。 来自辞典例句