2007年VOA标准英语-Americans Prepare to Celebrate Labor Day

By Tony Budny
Washington
31 August 2007
 

The Labor¹ Day holiday in the United States falls annually² on the first Monday of September. It is meant to commemorate³ the hard work and dedication⁴ of individuals in the American workforce⁵.  Since it became a national holiday in 1894, it has become a large part of the American culture.  VOA's Tony Budny has the story.

Labor Day means many things to many people. In the holiday's earliest days, Labor Day meant fighting on behalf of the worker. In the United States, President Grover Cleveland declared a Labor Day holiday in 1894 after pressure from organized labor unions.

Most countries celebrate Labor Day on May 1st to commemorate the day in 1886 when labor unions in the U.S. and Canada established the first eight-hour work day. Today, Labor Day involves less protests and more celebration. 

For many, like Washington, D.C. resident Marla Vrendley, Labor Day is the end of a relaxing summer.  "I usually have big projects that I was supposed to do over the summer and I never do them over the summer, so I usually end up doing them all on Labor Day."

For retired⁶ school teacher Bud Feasel, the meaning of Labor Day has changed. "For me, Labor Day always meant I had to work.  I taught high school for 35 years and school always started the day after Labor Day., which was usually the time when the crops were all picked and everyone would start school. Now today, school starts a lot earlier and so Labor Day becomes the first holiday that we have in the school year."

Traditionally, many Americans travel on Labor Day.  The American Automobile⁷ Association (AAA) estimates that more than 34 million people will travel for their final summer holiday.  That will lead to crowded highways and airports.  But do not expect the crowded conditions to spoil things.  Americans will celebrate with parades and picnics all across the country in appreciation⁸ of their labor. 

1 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

2 annually   

adv.一年一次，每年

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。

3 commemorate   

vt.纪念，庆祝

参考例句：

• This building was built to commemorate the Fire of London.这栋大楼是为纪念“伦敦大火”而兴建的。
• We commemorate the founding of our nation with a public holiday.我们放假一日以庆祝国庆。

4 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。

5 workforce   

n.劳动大军，劳动力

参考例句：

• A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.劳动人口中一大部分受雇于农业。
• A quarter of the local workforce is unemployed.本地劳动力中有四分之一失业。

6 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

7 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

8 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。