THANKSGIVING DAY, 2009

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION


What began as a harvest celebration between European settlers and indigenous communities nearly four centuries ago has become our cherished tradition of Thanksgiving. This day's roots are intertwined with those of our Nation, and its history traces the American narrative.


近四個世紀前,歐洲定居者和美洲土著居民喜迎豐收的慶典,現(xiàn)已成為我們彌足珍貴的感恩節(jié)傳統(tǒng)。感恩節(jié)的起源與我國的淵源密不可分,感恩節(jié)的歷史是美國歷程的寫照。


Today, we recall President George Washington, who proclaimed our first national day of public thanksgiving to be observed "by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God," and President Abraham Lincoln, who established our annual Thanksgiving Day to help mend a fractured Nation in the midst of civil war. We also recognize the contributions of Native Americans, who helped the early colonists survive their first harsh winter and continue to strengthen our Nation. From our earliest days of independence, and in times of tragedy and triumph, Americans have come together to celebrate Thanksgiving.


今天,我們緬懷喬治·華盛頓總統(tǒng),他發(fā)表了美國第一個全國公眾感恩日公告,以“懷著感恩之心感謝全能的上帝所施與的諸多無上的恩寵”;還有亞伯拉罕·林肯總統(tǒng),他確立了一年一度的感恩節(jié),以幫助這個被南北戰(zhàn)爭蹂躪得千瘡百孔的國家重建家園。我們同時贊揚美國印第安人的貢獻,他們幫助早期殖民地居民度過了第一個嚴冬,并繼續(xù)為我國的強大而努力。始自美國獨立之初,任憑時代跌宕起伏,美國人民總要歡聚一堂,共慶感恩佳節(jié)。


As Americans, we hail from every part of the world.? While we observe traditions from every culture, Thanksgiving Day is a unique national tradition we all share. Its spirit binds us together as one people, each of us thankful for our common blessings.


我們美國人來自全世界各個地區(qū)。我們雖有各種文化習俗,但感恩節(jié)是一個我們共有的獨特的美國傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日。感恩節(jié)的精神力量是我們作為一國人民的紐帶,我們每個人都對我們共享的恩惠心懷感激。


As we gather once again among loved ones, let us also reach out to our neighbors and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand. This is a time for us to renew our bonds with one another, and we can fulfill that commitment by serving our communities and our Nation throughout the year. In doing so, we pay tribute to our country's men and women in uniform who set an example of service that inspires us all. Let us be guided by the legacy of those who have fought for the freedoms for which we give thanks, and be worthy heirs to the noble tradition of goodwill shown on this day.


當我們又同親朋好友歡聚一堂時,讓我們也向需要幫助的左鄰右舍和美國同胞伸出援手。這是我們重新加深相互聯(lián)系的時刻,我們可以通過在全年當中為社區(qū)和國家服務(wù)來履行這種義務(wù)。我們以這種行動向我國男女軍人致敬,他們樹立了為國效力的典范,激勵著我們所有人。我們對享有的自由心存感激,并將秉承為自由而奮斗的人的業(yè)績,將這一天彰顯關(guān)愛的崇高傳統(tǒng)發(fā)揚光大。


NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 26, 2009, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all the people of the United States to come together, whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place where family, friends and neighbors may gather, with gratitude for all we have received in the past year; to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own; and to share our bounty with others.


為此,我,美利堅合眾國總統(tǒng)巴拉克·奧巴馬,以美國憲法和法律賦予我的權(quán)力,特此宣布2009年11月26日星期四為全國感恩日。我呼吁美國全體人民,不論是在家中、在禮拜堂、在社區(qū)中心,還是在任何與親朋好友及左鄰右舍歡聚的地方,都能共同感謝過去一年我們所得到的一切,向那些以自己的生活豐富我們生活的人表達感激之情;并與他人共享我們所得的恩惠。


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.


我謹于公元2009年,即美利堅合眾國獨立第234年之11月20日,親筆在此簽名為證。

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BARACK OBAMA


巴拉克·奧巴馬