VOA常速英语:全美纪念前总统肯尼迪诞辰100周年

Kennedy’s grave in Arlington Cemetery outside Washington is one of the most popular tourist destinations.It attracts young people who were not yet born when he was assassinated as well as his contemporaries.
阿灵顿国家公墓位于华盛顿郊外，肯尼迪之墓就在此处，这里是最受欢迎的旅游目的地之一。肯尼迪之墓不仅吸引了肯尼迪的同时代人，还吸引了很多肯尼迪被暗杀时还未出生的年轻人前来拜谒。

“I was in college when that happened.I... everyone in that generation knew exactly where they were when they heard about it and then saw the events afterwards, including his funeral, and America stopped and watched that.”
“那时候我在读大学。那一代的每个人都清楚地记着，听到这个消息的时候，自己当时在哪儿。然后一直关注事态的进展，包括他的葬礼。全美国为之驻足，密切关注这一事件。”

And so for the rest of the world, Kennedy’s presidency became known as the camera-lit years, a fairy-tale image his wife helped create.“There is a myth around him.And he died very young, he died with young children and a beautiful wife and they’re loved by America.As soon as he was killed, the myth built even more, and we remember him as a young man.We remember him as an inspirational guy in terms of his speeches.”
对于世界上其他地方来说，肯尼迪当选总统，一直备受瞩目。他妻子帮助创造了这一童话般的形象。“关于他，一直有一种神话。他英年早逝，留下年幼的孩子和美丽的妻子，美国人们深深爱戴着他们。他遇刺身亡之后，这种神话愈加扑朔迷离。在我们的记忆里，他始终是一个年轻人。在我们的记忆里，他的演讲总是那么鼓舞人心。”

Kennedy was inaugurated in 1961 when he was only 43, in his inauguration speech,he famously called on all Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”He also called on political parties to work together toward common goals.“We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom---symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning---signifying renewal, as well as change.”
肯尼迪于1961年宣誓就任美国总统，当时他只有43岁。在他的就职演说中，他呼吁所有美国人“不要问你的国家可以为你做些什么，而要问你能为国家做些什么”，而这一呼吁已成为名句。他还呼吁各政党一起努力实现共同目标。“今天我们不是在庆祝政党的胜利，而是在为自由而庆祝。这不仅象征着一种结束，同时也象征着一种开始；它不仅意味着延续，也意味着变革。”

Kennedy’s presidency was dominated by confrontation with the Soviet Union, Cuba, the Vietnam War and the space race.The establishment of the volunteer program Peace Corps is one of his enduring legacies. Scholars vary in their assessments of Kennedy’s achievements.Many say his tragic death and his short time in office make an objective appraisal impossible.But Kennedy has inspired the generations of American politicians, including former president Barack Obama.
肯尼迪任期内主要经历了美苏对抗，古巴导弹危机，越南战争以及太空竞赛。并建立了美国和平队这一志愿者组织，这是他为后人留下的一项不朽的遗产。学者们对于肯尼迪的政绩评价不一。很多人认为，他不幸遇刺身亡且执政时间较短，因而几乎无法对他做出客观评价。但肯尼迪影响并激励了美国几代政治家，其中包括前任总统贝拉克·奥巴马。

“President Kennedy led with a steady hand, diffusing the most perilous moment of the Cold War without firing a single shot and forcing the rights of young black men and women to study at the university of their choice.And launching a corps of young volunteers as ambassadors for peace in distant corners of the globe, setting America’s sights on the moon.”
“肯尼迪总统以稳健之手担纲，不费一枪一弹化解了冷战时期最危险的时刻。他强制履行了黑人男女青年选择大学的权利。他动员志愿者队伍，前往遥远的异乡担任和平大使。他让美国放眼月球。”

Earlier this month, Obama received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award,which recognizes the qualities of political courage that Kennedy praised in his speeches.
本月早些时候，奥巴马被授予“肯尼迪勇气奖”，这一奖项旨在表彰从政者的政治勇气，肯尼迪在演讲中曾对这种品质大加赞赏。

Zlatica Hoke, VOA News, Washington.
VOA新闻，兹拉蒂·霍克于华盛顿为您播报。