2007年VOA标准英语-Philadelphia - Home of American Independence

By Stasia DeMarco
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
02 July 2007
 

Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of the United States, the nation's cradle of liberty.  It began back in 1776 when the 13 American colonies announced their independence from the British Empire with their Declaration of Independence.  And Philadelphians, along with other Americans, mark this day of freedom every July 4th.  As the nation prepares for its 231st birthday, Stasia DeMarco visited Philadelphia's historic Independence Mall.

Independence Hall, Philadelphia

The first stop for many tourists to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is Independence Hall -- the place where the founding fathers met to discuss and write the Declaration of Independence.

"People want to come to see the birthplace of the United States.  This is it.  It all starts right here in this building," explains Bill Caughlin, a ranger¹ with the National Park Service.

"I think what attracts people the most is the fact that we are a nation that is founded on ideals, on equality and freedom,” says Caughlin. “And I think that attracts a lot of people from around the world.  They want to come and see that room where that Declaration of Independence came out of."

And those ideals are memorialized, not just in that declaration, but also elsewhere along Independence Mall. Actors dressed as key early American patriots² -- George Washington, Ben Franklin -- add to the historic ambience, and talk to tourists.  Famous relics⁴ and sites such as the Liberty Bell, Carpenters' Hall, and the house where legend says seamstress Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, attract more than three million visitors to Philadelphia each year.

"I think it is actually pretty amazing, all of this history, here," says one visitor. "(It is) where the country basically started, so it's a focal point,” adds another. "I wanted to see the Liberty Bell.  I've always wanted to see the Liberty Bell, and I got to see it," chimes in a third tourist.

"I love the Liberty Bell,” declares Caughlin. The Liberty Bell was rung on July 8th, 1776 to summon Philadelphians to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. In 1846, after a tiny crack expanded to the point that the bell could not be rung, it was removed from the Independence Hall tower and put on display. 

"It's such a powerful symbol, really, I see that on a regular basis,” says the park ranger. “The bell, by the time it did crack, was already an important relic³ from the time of independence, but also would become a symbol of freedom for people in the United States; pretty soon around the world."

And more people from the United States and around the world visit Philadelphia for the 4th of July holiday than at any other time of the year.

Caughlin adds, "July 4th is our time to shine here."

1 ranger   

n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员

参考例句：

• He was the head ranger of the national park.他曾是国家公园的首席看守员。
• He loved working as a ranger.他喜欢做护林人。

2 patriots   

爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Abraham Lincoln was a fine type of the American patriots. 亚伯拉罕·林肯是美国爱国者的优秀典型。
• These patriots would fight to death before they surrendered. 这些爱国者宁愿战斗到死，也不愿投降。

3 relic   

n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物

参考例句：

• This stone axe is a relic of ancient times.这石斧是古代的遗物。
• He found himself thinking of the man as a relic from the past.他把这个男人看成是过去时代的人物。

4 relics   

[pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸

参考例句：

• The area is a treasure house of archaeological relics. 这个地区是古文物遗迹的宝库。
• Xi'an is an ancient city full of treasures and saintly relics. 西安是一个有很多宝藏和神圣的遗物的古老城市。