History and Traditions

In 1621, after a hard and devastating first year in the New World, the Pilgrims’ Fall harvest was very successful and plentiful. There were corn, fruit, and vegetables, along with fish which was packed in salt, and meat that was smoke cured over fires. They found that they had enough food to put away for the winter，the Pilgrims had beaten the odds. Their Governor, William Bradford, proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving that was to be shared by all of the colonists and the neighboring Native American Indians. In the 1860s, it became a national holiday, and today it is a time for family reunions, watching sports on TV, and having a relaxing 4-day weekend.

Dialogue www.hxw.red

A: Boy, does that turkey smell good. How soon can we eat?
B: After I finish making the stuffing and setting the table. Can you make sure grandpa has a seat?
A: He’s as old as the Pilgrims. I bet he has some interesting stories to tell.
B: He always does. I love listening to his stories, too, but I hope he stays awake long enough to eat my pumpkin pie!
A: I’m sure he’ll love it. He might even have two pieces!

Vocabulary & Phrases

Devastate 荒芜的
To destroy or cause a lot of damage

Pilgrims
Settlers who came from England in the 1500s and settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts

Proclaim 宣告; 公佈
To make known publicly

Colonist 僑民
A group of people from the same country or with the same interests

Pumpkin Pie 南瓜派
Pie usually made from canned pumpkin sauce and served with whipped cream

历史及传统

1621年，在新大陆经历了艰难和灾难重重的一年之后，新教徒们终于迎来了秋天丰收的季节。有玉米、水果、蔬菜，还有盐腌制的咸鱼和熏制的肉。他们发现有足够的食物留下来过冬。新教徒们战胜了意想不到的困难。他们的总督威廉姆斯·布拉德福宣布了一个感恩的日子，由侨民和当地的土著印弟安人共同庆祝。到了十九世纪六十年代，它成为一个全国性的节日。今天它又成为一个全家团圆，看电视体育节目，享受4天周末的日子。

好学英文网