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Happy Fourth of July! 美國，生日快樂！

Most people are probably aware of the significance of July 4 to Americans. They might not

know, however, about the origins of some of the traditions associated with Independence

Day in the United States.

Fireworks are a feature of national day obrvations the world over, and play a major role in

American celebrations. John Adams, the country's cond president and a signatory of the

Declaration of Independence, either predicted the firework tradition or started it himlf; in a

letter to his wife, he called for the celebration of the Fourth of July, the day the final draft of

the Declaration was officially adopted, with "pomp and parade, with shows, games . . .

bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other . . . "

Americans have long since taken up Adams's suggestion with awesome energy and

enthusiasm. July 4 is, of cour, a holiday from work, and the occasion for all-day picnics in

most communities. Having eaten their fill of hot dogs, burgers, and potato salad, everyone

eagerly throws themlves into a program of often quirky activities like three-legged races

and pie-eating contests.

A visitor to Boston, a city strongly associated with the events leading up to independence,

will certainly come away with a lasting impression of the Fourth of July. The highlight of the

day's celebrations is a local orchestra playing a medley of patriotic tunes as one hundred and

fifty thousand spectators watch fireworks burst over the harbor.

大多人可能都知道七月四日對美國人的意義；然而他們或許並不知道有關美國獨

立日的一些傳統的起源。

呈現的風貌所打動。當天慶祝活動的 高潮是波士頓交響樂團的愛國歌謠組曲演

奏；另外還有超過 十五萬觀眾會集聚港口，欣賞漫天煙火燦爛。