历史上的今天-Today in History 2013-07-18

 July 18th, 1936. Start of the Spanish Civil War as General Francisco Franco leads the military uprising throughout the country. Franco becomes Spain's dictator 3 years later when his national's forces topple Madrid's Republican government.

1969. Senator Ted¹ Kennedy drives his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island near Martha’s Vineyard in his home state of Mass.. Kennedy's passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowns. The Senator, who does not immediately report what happened, later pleads guilty to leaving the scene of an accident.

1918. "The majority of South Africans, black and white, recognise that apartheid has no future."Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid activist² who became South Africa's first black President is born. Mandela guided his country to multi-racial democracy after spending nearly 3 decades in prison under white minority rule.

And 1954. My eyes are filled with bitter tears. Lord, I ain't been home in years Got the Highway 40 blues³.

Ricky Skaggs, the country and bluegrass music artist is born in Cordell, Kentucky.

Today in History, July 18th. Ross Simpson, the Associated Press.

1 ted   

vt.翻晒，撒，撒开

参考例句：

• The invaders gut ted the village.侵略者把村中财物洗劫一空。
• She often teds the corn when it's sunny.天好的时候她就翻晒玉米。

2 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

3 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。