美国有线新闻 CNN 阵亡将士纪念日的由来

Many Americans have a three-day weekend coming up. Since 1971, the Memorial Day Holiday has been observed on the last Monday in May.

许多美国人将迎来为期三天的周末。自1971年以来，阵亡将士纪念日假期一直被定为5月最后一个星期一。

It's come to symbolize¹ the unofficial beginning of summer.

这个节日象征着非官方夏季的开始。

A time of cookouts and family reunions, a time when Americans can wear white shoes again according to an old-fashioned fashion rule.

这是野餐和家庭团聚的时刻，美国人可以根据老式时尚规则再次穿上白鞋。

But the true meaning of the holiday is in remembrance, Memorial Day is a tribute to all Americans who died serving in their nation's conflicts.

但是，这个节日的真正意义在于纪念，阵亡将士纪念日是为了纪念所有在国家冲突中牺牲的美国人。

It started during the Civil War when mourners used flowers to decorate the graves of those who'd been killed in battle.

这始于内战期间，当时哀悼者用鲜花装饰在战斗中阵亡的将士的坟墓。

That gave rise to the holiday known as Decoration Day. It was marked in states that fought for the Union and the Confederacy.

这就诞生了一个被称为“装饰日”的节日。为联邦和南部邦联而战的各州都会纪念这一节日。

After World War I, which ended in 1918, the holiday's name was changed to Memorial Day

1918年第一次世界大战结束后，该节日的名称改为阵亡将士纪念日，

and it became a time to remember servicemen and women who'd been lost in every war.

成为纪念在每一场战争中牺牲的男女军人的日子。

Flags are placed in their honor. Parades and church services, public events are held.

国旗为纪念他们而放置。这一天还会举行游行、教堂服务和公共活动。

The president traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery². That can take place on Veterans Day as well.

传统上，总统会向阿灵顿国家公墓的无名烈士墓敬献花圈。这一传统也会在退伍军人节进行。

But while that holiday recognizes everyone who served in the Armed Forces, Memorial Day focuses on those who gave their lives in service.

但是，退伍军人节表彰的是所有在武装部队服役的军人，而阵亡将士纪念日主要纪念献出生命的军人。

The respects paid at Arlington are mirrored in cemeteries³ and communities all across America.

和阿灵顿国家公墓一样，美国各地的公墓和社区也会举行纪念活动。

1 symbolize   

vt.作为...的象征，用符号代表

参考例句：

• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。
• Dolphins symbolize the breath of life.海豚象征着生命的气息。

2 cemetery   

n.坟墓，墓地，坟场

参考例句：

• He was buried in the cemetery.他被葬在公墓。
• His remains were interred in the cemetery.他的遗体葬在墓地。

3 cemeteries   

n.（非教堂的）墓地，公墓( cemetery的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• It's morbid to dwell on cemeteries and such like. 不厌其烦地谈论墓地以及诸如此类的事是一种病态。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• In other districts the proximity of cemeteries seemed to aggravate the disease. 在其它地区里，邻近墓地的地方，时疫大概都要严重些。 来自辞典例句