VOA常速英语2018--庆贺爱沙尼亚独立100周年（在线收听）

February 24th marked the one hundredth anniversary of the founding the Republic of Estonia.

2月24日是爱沙尼亚共和国成立100周年纪念日。

The Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia,was drafted by the Salvation Committee elected by the elders of the Estonian Provincial Assembly.

《爱沙尼亚独立宣言》又名《爱沙尼亚人民宣言》，是由拯救爱沙尼亚委员会拟定的。而拯救爱沙尼亚委员会是爱沙尼亚省议会长老们选举出来的。

Originally intended to be proclaimed on 21 February 1918, the proclamation was delayed until the evening of 23 February, when the manifesto was printed and read out aloud publicly in Parnu. On the next day, 24 February, the manifesto was printed and distributed in the capital, Tallinn, and beyond.In a message of congratulations to Estonians this year U.S. Ambassador to Estonia James Melville noted: Contained in that declaration of an independent and democratic republic are affirmations of inalienable rights that ring just as true today as they did a century ago. qual protection under the law for all irrespective of religion, ethnic origin, or political views. The guarantee of all civic freedoms, freedom of expression, religion, assembly, association, to strike, and the inviolability of each individual and of the home.

一开始本打算在1918年2月21日公布该宣言，但日期推迟到了2月23日晚。那晚，在将宣言打印出来后，就在派尔努做了公开宣读。第二天，也就是2月24日，宣言经打印后在首都塔林等城市分发。今年，在向爱沙尼亚人民进行祝贺时，美国驻爱沙尼亚大使詹姆斯 梅尔维尔(James Melville)表示：爱沙尼亚这个独立民主共和国的宣言中肯定了不可剥夺的权利，这些权利无论是一个世纪前，还是现在，都依然适用。无论宗教信仰、种族、政治观点为何，都应该受到法律平等的保护。所有形式的公民自由都应该得到保证，比如：言论自由、宗教信仰自由、集会自由、结社自由、罢工自由。每位公民和家庭的神圣不可侵犯性也要得到保证。

The United States and Estonia are linked, wrote Ambassador Melville, by our shared commitment to democratic freedoms, our rock solid alliance, economic ties that bridge the Atlantic, and the many ties between our two peoples.Over my nearly three-year tenure as Ambassador, I have traveled to every corner of your beautiful land. I have had the honor to meet with your nation's leaders, be motivated by your innovative use of technology, and inspired by the energy and boundless potential of your young people. The future is so bright for Estonia, and I feel honored to have shared this land with you during my time here.

大使梅尔维尔写道，美国和爱沙尼亚是相互联系的，因为我们都致力于民主自由，因为我们的联盟坚如磐石，因为我们的经济关系连接起了大西洋，还因为我们两国人民间有着深厚的关系。在我担任大使近3年的时间里，我去过爱沙尼亚的每个角落。我也曾有幸与爱沙尼亚的多位领导人会晤，我为爱沙尼亚对科技创新性的应用深感震撼，我也受到爱沙尼亚年轻人能量和无边潜力的鼓舞。爱沙尼亚的未来是如此光明，我很荣幸在我在此任职期间能与你们共同踏足这篇土地。

In this centennial year, the Ambassador added, I join all of my colleagues and friends from the U.S. Embassy in expressing our sincerest gratitude for your partnership and heartfelt congratulations on your 100th anniversary. Happy Birthday, Estonia!

梅尔维尔补充说，在爱沙尼亚100周年纪念到来之际，我与美国大使馆的所有同仁和朋友在此表达我们对双方伙伴关系最真挚的感谢，并对你们的100周年纪念表示发自内心的祝贺。生日快乐，爱沙尼亚！