历史上的今天-Today in History 2014-05-13

 May 13th, 1981. “Somebody said: it’s the Pope¹. He’s shot. You know, we just shocked, it was just unbelievable.” At the Vatican, Pope John Paul II is shot and seriously wounded by a Turkish gunman in St. Peter’s Square. The pontiff recovers and a few years later he visits his would-be assassin Mehmet Ali Agca behind bars.

1607. A ship carrying English settlers arrives at the site of what becomes the Jamestown settlement in Virginia. 1940. “I, have never promised anything but blood, tears, toil² and sweat.” In London, Winston Churchill gives his first speech as Britain’s Prime³ Minister during some of his country’s darkest days of WWII.

1846. The United States declares war on Mexico days after the 2 neighbors clash⁴ in their first major battle in Texas. The war ends with the American victory, forcing Mexico to give up territory from California to the Rio Grande. And 1950. Stevie Wonder, singer, songwriter and one of the Motown’s most successful artists is born in Saginaw, Michigan. Today in History, May 13th. Ross Simpson, the Associated Press.

1 pope   

n.（罗马天主教的）教皇

参考例句：

• The Pope is the spiritual leader of many Christians.教皇是众多基督徒的宗教领袖。
• The Pope is the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church.教皇是罗马天主教的最高领袖。

2 toil   

vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事

参考例句：

• The wealth comes from the toil of the masses.财富来自大众的辛勤劳动。
• Every single grain is the result of toil.每一粒粮食都来之不易。

3 prime   

adj.首要的，主要的；最好的，第一流的

参考例句：

• The prime minister spoke of the general insecurity in the country.总理谈到了全国普遍存在的不安全。
• He met with the Prime Minister of Japan for an hour.他和日本首相会见了一个小时。

4 clash   

vi.冲突，不协调，砰地相撞；n.冲突，不协调

参考例句：

• There is a clash between two classes at 2 p.m. on Thursday.星期四下午两点有两堂课是冲突的。
• The pot came down on the stone floor with a clash.锅“当”地一声掉到石地上。