
A legendary Thanksgiving celebration was held in 1621. The terrible winter of the previous year had been difficult for the Pilgrims. Many of the Pilgrims had died because of illness and lack of shelter. The Thanksgiving celebration was held after the Pilgrims had their first harvest—after they had gathered their first crops.
历史上最广为人知的感恩庆祝活动发生于1621年。就在前一年的冬季,生活对于英国清教徒们来说是异常艰难的。由于居无定所,再加上疾病的折磨,许多人失去了生命。当他们迎来了第一场的丰收——收获了第一季的庄稼之后,举办了感恩庆典。
The writings of the Pilgrims tell us that about 140 people attended the three-day celebration. Ninety of the people were Wampanoag men. About 50 people were Pilgrims. Only four of the Pilgrims at the party were women. The feast was held outside because the Pilgrims did not have a building large enough to hold so many people.
据记载,大约有140多人参加了为期三天的感恩庆典。他们中有90人是万帕诺亚格人;约有50人是英国清教徒,其中只有4名女性。当时的宴会是在野外举办的,因为清教徒们还没有建造足以容纳这么多人的大房子。
The Pilgrims were thankful for the harvest and for the help of the Wampanoag in teaching them to grow crops in America. Without their help, the Pilgrims would have had little to eat.
清教徒感恩于这场大丰收,也感恩于万帕诺亚格人教会了他们如何种植庄稼作物。如果没有万帕诺亚格人的帮助,他们也许将食不果腹。
The menu for the first Thanksgiving included venison, or deer meat, and fowl, which included ducks, geese, and turkeys. Sea bass, cod fish, cornmeal, fruits and vegetables were also served. Games were played, and singing and dancing were also part of the celebration. Praises were given to God for the harvest and for the Pilgrims that survived the harsh winter.
历史上第一个感恩庆典的菜单包括:鹿肉、禽肉(鸡肉、鹅肉、火鸡肉)、黑鲈、鳕鱼、玉米片、水果和蔬菜等。人们在庆典上载歌载舞,虔诚地歌颂上帝,感恩如此丰硕的收成,感恩他们从恶劣的环境中死里逃生。
Thanksgiving in America is now celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Families prepare a meal similar to the meal prepared by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag 400 years ago. It is a time for counting the blessings we have received during the year and for spending time with family and friends.
如今,每年11月的第4个星期四是美国的感恩节。家家户户都准备好感恩节大餐,如同400多年前清教徒们一样。感恩节是人们重温这一年来美好画面的时刻,也是与朋友相聚、与家人团圆的时刻。