THIS IS AMERICA - Lincoln Portrait

THIS IS AMERICA -February 18, 2002: Lincoln Portrait

By Shelley Gollust
VOICE ONE:
Today is Presidents' Day in the United States. It is the day to honor all American presidents. I'm Shirley Griffith.
VOICE TWO:
And I'm Rich Kleinfeldt. We tell about one of America's greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, on our report

today on the VOA Special English program THIS IS AMERICA.

 

(THEME)

VOICE ONE:

Americans celebrate Presidents' Day each year on the third Monday of February. But they
did not always do so. They used to observe the birthdays of two of the greatest American
presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Both men were born in the month
of February. Abraham Lincoln's birthday is February twelfth. George Washington's is
February twenty-second.

In Nineteen-Seventy-One, Congress approved a law that affected¹ some national holidays.
It changed the official celebration of the holiday to the Monday closest to the real date. The birthdays of the two
presidents were celebrated² on one day --the third Monday in February. Later, Congress said the holiday would
honor all American presidents. VOICE TWO:

Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth American president. He is considered one of the greatest leaders of all time.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky in Eighteen-Oh-Nine. He grew up in Illinois. His family was poor and
had no education. Abraham Lincoln taught himself what he needed to know. He became a lawyer. He served in
the Illinois state legislature and in the United States Congress. In Eighteen-Sixty, he was elected to the country's
highest office.

VOICE ONE:

President Lincoln led the United States during the Civil War between the northern and southern states. This was
the most serious crisis in American history. President Lincoln helped end slavery in the nation. And he helped
keep the American union from splitting apart during the war. President Lincoln believed that he proved to the
world that democracy can be a lasting³ form of government.

VOICE TWO:

In Eighteen-Sixty-Three, President Lincoln gave what became his most famous speech. Union armies of the north
had won two great victories that year. They defeated the Confederate armies of the south at Vicksburg,
Mississippi and at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Ceremonies were held to honor the dead soldiers at a burial place
on the Gettysburg battlefield.

President Lincoln spoke⁴ at Gettysburg for only about two minutes. But his speech has never been forgotten.
Historians say the speech defined Americans as a people who believed in freedom, democracy and equality.

Abraham Lincoln wrote some of the most memorable⁵ words in American history. He was murdered a few days
after the Civil War ended, in Eighteen-Sixty-Five. Yet his words live on.

VOICE ONE:

In Nineteen-Forty-Two, orchestra conductor Andre Kostelanitz asked composer Aaron Copland to write a piece


of music about Abraham Lincoln. Copland was one of the best modern American composers. He wrote many
kinds of music. His music told stories about the United States.

Aaron Copland wrote "Lincoln Portrait" to honor the president. Copland's music included parts of American folk
songs and songs popular during the Civil War. Here is the Seattle Symphony playing part of "Lincoln Portrait."

((TAPE CUT ONE: LINCOLN PORTRAIT))

VOICE TWO:

Aaron Copland added words from President Lincoln's speeches and letters to his "Lincoln Portrait." It has been
performed many times in the United States. Many famous people have read the words. To celebrate Presidents'
Day, here is actor James Earl Jones reading part of Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait":

((TAPE CUT TWO: JAMES EARL JONES, LINCOLN PORTRAIT:))

“Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.”.. That is what he said, That is what Abraham Lincoln said: “Fellow
citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration will be remembered in spite of
ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance⁶ can spare one or another of us. The fiery⁷ trial through which
we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation. We –.. even we here –.. hold the power
and bear the responsibility” .

Lincoln was a quiet man. Abe Lincoln was a quiet and melancholy⁸ man. But, when he spoke of Democracy, this
is what he said:

He said: “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of Democracy.
Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.”..

Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth President of these United States, is everlasting⁹ in the memory of his countrymen, for
on the battleground at Gettysburg this is what he said:

He said: “That from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last
full measure of devotion: that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; and that this
nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, and for
the people, shall not perish from the earth.”..

VOICE ONE:

This program was written by Shelley Gollust. It was produced by Lawan Davis. Our engineer was Al Alevy. I'm
Shirley Griffith.

((LINCOLN PORTRAIT INSTEAD OF CLOSING THEME))

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Rich Kleinfeldt. Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the VOA
Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.

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1 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

2 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

3 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

6 insignificance   

n.不重要；无价值；无意义

参考例句：

• Her insignificance in the presence of so much magnificence faintly affected her. "她想象着他所描绘的一切，心里不禁有些刺痛。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• It was above the common mass, above idleness, above want, above insignificance. 这里没有平凡，没有懒散，没有贫困，也没有低微。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

7 fiery   

adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的

参考例句：

• She has fiery red hair.她有一头火红的头发。
• His fiery speech agitated the crowd.他热情洋溢的讲话激动了群众。

8 melancholy   

n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的

参考例句：

• All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。
• He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过，他感到很郁闷。

9 everlasting   

adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的

参考例句：

• These tyres are advertised as being everlasting.广告上说轮胎持久耐用。
• He believes in everlasting life after death.他相信死后有不朽的生命。