美国独立日(2/2)

英语自学网

概述：美国独立来之不易，可在美国举国上下欢庆独立日之时，我们对这背后潜藏的美国价值观知之多少？
        Hints:
Declaration
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Independence Day
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答疑：MilanISIS
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When war first broke out between Britain and its North American colonists, few imagined, let alone supported, the creation of a new nation. Historians note that even as the fighting raged, the colonists were deeply divided over the future. Roughly 1/3 came to believe a complete break with Britain was needed, 1/3 remained loyal to the British crown and 1/3 simply wanted to be left alone to raise their families and do their jobs.
The 56 men who signed the Declaration on July 4th, 1776, cast the first votes for independence. Their fellow citizens ratified the choice, and with it the then-radical principle that government should be based on the consent of the governed.
While this is the event and cause we celebrate today, it isn't unique to Americans. It is embodied in the constitutions of many nations and observed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that we all recognize. In essence then, Independence Day is a celebration of our common humanity.当战争在英国及其北美殖民地之间爆发时，很少有人能想象得到、更没有多少人支持建立一个新的国家。历史学家指出，即使是在战争白热化的阶段，殖民地居民也为了（这个国家的）未来而存在诸多分歧。三分之一左右的人认为必须与英国断绝关系，三分之一的人依然效忠于英国皇室，而三分之一的人只想要留下来，工作养家。
   1776年7月4日，签署独立宣言的56个人发起了第一轮关于独立的投票。国民们认可了这一选择，同时也认可了一个当时被视为激进的原则，即政府必须建立在（民众）同意其领导的基础上。
   这就是我们庆祝这个日子的内容和原因，然而这并不是美国独有的。（独立的精神）体现在了很多国家的宪法中，同时也出现在了我们广泛承认的《世界人权宣言》中。从本质上说，独立日所庆祝的是我们共同的人性。