漫談感恩節(jié)

What is Thanksgiving?
什么是感恩節(jié)?

Thanksgiving is a national holiday widely celebrated in North America. In the US, many are taught at school that the First Thanksgiving Dinner was held in 1621 Massachusetts. In 1620, the Pilgrims arrived in the New World from England; they were faced with harsh weather and difficult living conditions. Luckily, they received huge help from the native Americans and were able to have a good harvest the following year. So the Pilgrims put on a feast for everyone to celebrate the harvest.

感恩節(jié)是北美洲一個(gè)被廣泛慶祝的公眾假日。在美國學(xué)校里，大家會學(xué)到第一個(gè)感恩晚宴是1621年在美國麻馬薩諸塞州舉辦的。1620年的秋季，英格蘭的朝圣者來到了新大陸。當(dāng)時(shí)氣候和生活環(huán)境極其惡劣，幸運(yùn)的是他們得到了土著美國人的巨大的幫助，終于渡過難關(guān)，在第二年創(chuàng)下豐收。所以朝圣者們舉辦了盛大的宴會慶祝豐收，感謝所有人做出的努力。

Now in the US, it is a time for family reunion, and signaling the start of the festive season before Christmas.

現(xiàn)在感恩節(jié)在美國是家人團(tuán)聚的時(shí)刻，同時(shí)也預(yù)示著圣誕季節(jié)的來臨。

When is Thanksgiving?
感恩節(jié)是哪一天?

In the States, Thanksgiving is usually the fourth Thursday in November. And in many states, the Friday after Thanksgiving Thursday is also a holiday, this is called Black Friday. Many people choose to have a long weekend break, spend time with their family or shop for Christmas presents on Black Friday. Many stores offer special discounts.

在美國感恩節(jié)是每年十一月的第四個(gè)星期四。在美國很多州，感恩節(jié)后的星期五也是一個(gè)公眾假日，這一天有一個(gè)特殊的名字，就是“黑色星期五 Black Friday”。很多人會利用這個(gè)長周末探望家人或者趁“黑色星期五”這天采購圣誕節(jié)的禮物。很多商店在“黑色星期五”這天都會有各種促銷或打折活動。

Thanksgiving food
感恩節(jié)的食品

Since Thanksgiving started as a harvest celebration, it’s no wonder that food plays an important part. It’s said that there is more food consumed during Thanksgiving than Christmas. Roast turkey is the must have dish, also, for dessert, pumpkin pies are served.

因?yàn)楦卸鞴?jié)源于慶祝豐收，所以“吃”在這個(gè)節(jié)日里是非常重要的。據(jù)說在感恩節(jié)期間食品的消耗量比圣誕節(jié)還要高。烤火雞是必備食品，另外，甜品非南瓜派莫屬了。

Fun facts
感恩節(jié)有趣小知識

The president of the United States traditionally ‘pardons’ one lucky turkey each year just before Thanksgiving holiday. The chosen one is spared from the oven and is given freedom to enjoy the rest of its life in the wild.

美國總統(tǒng)每年在感恩節(jié)前會“赦免 pardon”一只幸運(yùn)的火雞。被“赦免”的幸運(yùn)火雞會躲過被送進(jìn)烤箱的厄運(yùn)，重新獲得自由，在野外悠閑的度過余生。

Did you know that it’s estimated around 46 million turkeys are consumed during Thanksgiving holiday. It’s not fun to be a turkey in America!

你知道嗎?每年感恩節(jié)期間，美國人會吃掉約46,000,000只火雞。生活在美國的火雞命可真苦啊!

In other countries?
其它國家?

As we mentioned before, Thanksgiving is mainly celebrated in America and Canada. However in Canada, Thanksgiving is on the second Monday of October. It’s not big in the UK, although it seems to be gaining popularity. And special Thanksgiving menus have started to pop up in restaurants.

感恩節(jié)是美國和加拿大的主要節(jié)日。不過在加拿大，感恩節(jié)是每年十月的第二個(gè)星期一。英國人不會特別慶祝感恩節(jié)，不過近些年這個(gè)節(jié)日好像也逐漸的被越來越多的英國人認(rèn)可。每年感恩節(jié)時(shí)，英國的一些餐廳里也會推出特別的感恩節(jié)菜單吸引客人前去就餐。