President Obama’s Fourth of July Message

奧巴馬總統(tǒng)發(fā)表獨立紀念日獻詞

THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON? July 4, 2009

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白宮，華盛頓 2009年7月4日

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Today, we are called upon to remember not only the day our country was born, but also the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known — a government of, by, and for the people.

今天，我們受到這個日子的感召，不僅紀念我國誕生的那一天，而且需要繼承建國初期美國公民不屈不饒的精神，是他們使這一天成為值得紀念的日子。我們應該記住，當年的這一切多么來之不易。我們進行創(chuàng)建美國的試驗，結果獲得了成功；為數(shù)不多的愛國者宣布獨立，脫離了帝國強權的統(tǒng)治；他們還在新世界建立了舊世界不可思議的事物──民有、民治、民享的政府。

That unyielding spirit is what defines us as Americans. It is what led generations of pioneers to blaze a westward trail. It is what led my grandparents’ generation to persevere in the face of a depression and triumph in the face of tyranny. It is what led generations of American workers to build an industrial economy unrivaled around the world. It is what has always led us, as a people, not to wilt or cower at a difficult moment, but to face down any trial and rise to any challenge, understanding that each of us has a hand in writing America's destiny.

正是這種頑強的精神構筑了美國人的特征。正是這種精神指引一代又一代先驅者開拓西進之路。正是這種精神指引我們的祖祖輩輩，以堅韌不拔的毅力渡過了大蕭條，戰(zhàn)勝了專制暴政。正是這種精神指引世世代代的美國勞動者建成全世界無可比擬的工業(yè)經濟。正是這種精神始終指引全體美國人民在時局艱難的時刻永不氣餒，永不退縮，敢于經受任何考驗，迎接任何挑戰(zhàn)，因為我們知道美國的命運有待于我們每一個人為之努力。

On this day, we also remember that during our most defining moments, it was brave and selfless men and women in uniform who defended and served our country with honor — waging war so that we might know peace; braving hardship so that we might know opportunity; and at times, paying the ultimate price so that we might know freedom. This service — the service of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen — makes our annual celebration of this day possible. This service proves that our founding ideals remain just as powerful and alive in our third century as a nation as they did on the first July 4. This service guarantees that the United States of America shall forever remain the last, best hope on Earth.

在這一天到來的時候，我們還不應該忘記，在我國最緊要的關頭，勇敢無私的男女軍人不辱使命，保衛(wèi)我們的國家，忠心為國效力──為實現(xiàn)和平奔赴戰(zhàn)場；為贏得機會不辭勞苦；有時還為捍衛(wèi)自由付出極為高昂的代價。正因為他們?yōu)閲ЯΙぉり戃姟⒑＼?、空軍、海軍陸?zhàn)隊和海岸警衛(wèi)隊士兵做出的奉獻，我們才有可能每年慶祝這個節(jié)日。這種為國效力的精神說明，在進入建國后第三個百年之際，我國的建國理想仍然長盛不衰，生氣勃勃，永遠保持第一個7月4日的活力。這種為國效力的精神保證美利堅合眾國永遠是地球上最后、最大的希望。

All of us must call on this spirit of service and sacrifice to meet the challenges of our time. We are waging two wars. We are battling a deep recession. Our economy — and our nation itself — are endangered by festering problems we have kicked down the road for far too long: spiraling health care costs, inadequate schools, and a dependence on foreign oil.

為了迎接我們這個時代的挑戰(zhàn)，我們大家都必須發(fā)揚這種為國效力和獻身的精神。我們正在參與兩場戰(zhàn)爭。同時我們也在抗擊嚴重的衰退。我們長期拖延了曠日持久的問題：持續(xù)上升的醫(yī)療成本、學校設施的欠缺和對外國石油的依賴，導致問題日益惡化，我國經濟以及國家本身正面臨著危難。

Meeting these extraordinary challenges will require an extraordinary effort on the part of every American. It will require us to remember that we did not get to where we are as a nation by standing pat in a time of change. We did not get here by doing what was easy. That is not how a cluster of 13 colonies became the United States of America.

迎接這些巨大的挑戰(zhàn)要求每一位美國人付出巨大的努力。我們應該牢記，我們作為一個國家取得這樣的成就，是因為我們在變革的時期沒有故步自封。我們取得這樣的成就，是因為我們沒有避難就易。正是因為如此，原來的13個殖民地才能共建美利堅合眾國。

We are not a people who fear the future. We are a people who make it. On this July 4, we need to summon once more the spirit that inhabited Independence Hall two hundred and thirty-three years ago today.

我國人民敢于面對未來。我國人民敢于創(chuàng)造未來。在今年7月4日到來之際，我們必須再次振奮233年前獨立廳(Independence Hall)凝聚的精神。

That is how this generation of Americans will make its mark on history. That is how we will make the most of this extraordinary moment. And that is how we will write the next chapter in the great American story.

唯有如此，這一代美國人才能在歷史上留下自己的印記。唯有如此，我們才能最有效地把握當前的重要關頭。唯有如此，我們才能為偉大的美國歷史書寫新的篇章。

I wish you all the best for a happy Fourth of July.

我謹祝愿大家7月4日節(jié)日愉快。