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.


近四个世纪前,欧洲定居者和美洲土著居民喜迎丰收的庆典,现已成为我们弥足珍贵的感恩节传统。感恩节的起源与我国的渊源密不可分,感恩节的历史是美国历程的写照。


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,我们缅怀乔治·华盛顿总统,他发表了美国第一个全国公众感恩日公告,以“怀着感恩之心感谢全能的上帝所施与的诸多无上的恩宠”;还有亚伯拉罕·林肯总统,他确立了一年一度的感恩节,以帮助这个被南北战争蹂躏得千疮百孔的国家重建家园。我们同时赞扬美国印第安人的贡献,他们帮助早期殖民地居民度过了第一个严冬,并继续为我国的强大而努力。始自美国独立之初,任凭时代跌宕起伏,美国人民总要欢聚一堂,共庆感恩佳节。


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.


我们美国人来自全世界各个地区。我们虽有各种文化习俗,但感恩节是一个我们共有的独特的美国传统节日。感恩节的精神力量是我们作为一国人民的纽带,我们每个人都对我们共享的恩惠心怀感激。


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.


当我们又同亲朋好友欢聚一堂时,让我们也向需要帮助的左邻右舍和美国同胞伸出援手。这是我们重新加深相互联系的时刻,我们可以通过在全年当中为社区和国家服务来履行这种义务。我们以这种行动向我国男女军人致敬,他们树立了为国效力的典范,激励着我们所有人。我们对享有的自由心存感激,并将秉承为自由而奋斗的人的业绩,将这一天彰显关爱的崇高传统发扬光大。


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.


为此,我,美利坚合众国总统巴拉克·奥巴马,以美国宪法和法律赋予我的权力,特此宣布2009年11月26日星期四为全国感恩日。我呼吁美国全体人民,不论是在家中、在礼拜堂、在社区中心,还是在任何与亲朋好友及左邻右舍欢聚的地方,都能共同感谢过去一年我们所得到的一切,向那些以自己的生活丰富我们生活的人表达感激之情;并与他人共享我们所得的恩惠。


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.


我谨于公元2009年,即美利坚合众国独立第234年之11月20日,亲笔在此签名为证。

 
BARACK OBAMA


巴拉克·奥巴马