英美文化节日：退伍军人节的来历故事

The courage and patriotism of all men and women who have served in the armed services of the United States are honored on Veterans Day.

退伍军人节，这是美国全国性节日，以向历次战争中为国家服务的所有退伍军人的高尚的爱国精神表示敬意。

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th Armistice Day, but the day did not become a national holiday until 1938. Its name was changed to Veterans Day by Congress in 1954. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law for this day "to honor veterans, a day dedicated to world peace." Observances are held throughout the country on this federal holiday.

在1919年11月，伍德罗·威尔逊总统宣布11月11日作为停战日，但这个节日直到1938年才正式成为国家法定假日。1954年，议会通过将这个节日更名为退伍军人节。德怀特·D"艾森豪威尔总统在位时，签署一项国家法案“表彰那些为了世界和平而奉献的退伍军人们”，这个联邦节日的庆祝也逐渐在整个国家流传开来:

On November 11 at 11:11，1921 the U.S. France and England each buried an unknown soldier in honor of those who died in Worid War I.This began the annual Armistice Day holiday. The time and day was picked because fighting ceased in WWI in 1918 on November 11 at 11:11.In keeping with this tradition, work stops an this day and time each year for a moment of silence.

1921年11月11日11:11，美国、法国和英国各自掩埋一个死去的无名战士，以此向第一次世界大战死去的战士表示敬意，从此就开始了一年一度的停战日纪念活动。日期和时间的选择都富有深意，因为第一次世界大战就是在1918年的11月11日11:11终止的。为了缅怀这一传统，每年到了今天，工作都会停下来，为死去的勇士们默哀片刻。

In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however,that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore,in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date. Official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day center around the Tomb of the Unknowns.At 11 a.m.on November 11，a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. The nation’s tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath and the playing of "Taps.”

1968年，新的立法通过，将退伍军人节改到每年十月份的第四个星期一，不过很显然，对许多美国人而言，11月11日早已深人人心。因此，在1978年，国会通过决议，遵守原来的节日日期。官方的庆祝活动围绕无名之墓展开。每年1i月11日上午11点，一个联合旗队代表各军种在墓前执行“鸣枪”任务。之后敬献总统花圈和演奏“丧葬号音”，以此对全国的战段者表示敬意!