奥巴马宣布全国哀悼奥兰多死难者

AS IT IS 2016-06-15 Mourning Period for Orlando Victims Falling on US Flag Day 奥巴马宣布全国哀悼奥兰多死难者

President Barack Obama has declared a national period of mourning for the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.

The president has ordered the U.S. flag lowered at the White House and all public buildings, military bases and navy ships until Thursday. Flags are also being flown at half-staff at all United States embassies and other offices overseas.

The move comes as Americans observe Flag Day. Flag Day is celebrated¹ every June 14 across the country. June 14 is not a federal holiday. But it is a chance for people to recognize the importance of the flag and its place in U.S. history.

The United States began as 13 British colonies. Each colony had its own flag. But the colonists² fought under a common flag during the Revolutionary War against Britain.

The flag looked a lot like the U.S. flag does now. It had 13 red and white stripes for the 13 colonies. It had a square blue area in the upper left corner. Inside the blue area were the red cross and white lines of the British flag.

In 1776, the Americans declared their independence from Britain. The United States of America was born. The Continental³ Congress of the new nation approved a new flag on June 14, 1777. The 13 red and white stripes remained. But 13 white stars replaced the British flag in the blue area.

In 1818, Congress approved a law that said a new star would be added to the flag for each new state that joined the union. Today, there are 50 states, and 50 white stars in the blue area of the flag.

Words in This Story

half-staff – adj. flying a flag below the middle of a flag pole as a sign of respect or mourning

stripes – n. a long, narrow line

cross – n. an object or image in the shape of the letter X

1 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。

2 colonists   

n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Colonists from Europe populated many parts of the Americas. 欧洲的殖民者移居到了美洲的许多地方。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Some of the early colonists were cruel to the native population. 有些早期移居殖民地的人对当地居民很残忍。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 continental   

adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的

参考例句：

• A continental climate is different from an insular one.大陆性气候不同于岛屿气候。
• The most ancient parts of the continental crust are 4000 million years old.大陆地壳最古老的部分有40亿年历史。