English Learning Blog

A New Day, a New Dawn 新的一天，新的开始

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Barack and Michelle Obama went on a presidential walkabout
History was made in Washington this week as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States in front of a crowd of two million people.
President Obama made an impassioned and emotional speech to the multitude of people who had braved the elements to witness the inauguration of America’s first African-American President.

President Obama’s speech touched on many subjects of significance to the American people, including the fragile state of their economy and security matters such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But he began by addressing his personal feelings on his election and the weight of responsibility he felt in taking on such an important office.

"I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors," said President Obama.

The President went on to talk about the fears that many Americans have that their country is becoming less successful and diminishing as a global power.

He spoke of a "sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights".

However, President Obama continued to say that America would respond to the challenges before it, and that the nation would pull together and overcome its problems by working together in a spirit of co-operation.

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord," said the President.

After such a stirring speech, the world waits to see if America’s new president’s actions will match his lofty words and ideals.

GLOSSARY 词汇表 (收听发音, 请单击英语单词)

sworn in 宣誓就职 multitude 众多（的人）
inauguration 就职仪式 weight of responsibility 身上的重任
humbled 身感责任重大的 sacrifices 牺牲
sapping of confidence 逐渐失去了信心 pull together 齐心协力
unity of purpose 共同目标 stirring 令人激动地
impassioned 慷慨激昂的 braved the elements 勇敢面对恶劣天气
fragile state （经济）疲软局势 office （总统）职务
bestowed 授予 diminishing 逐渐缩小的
lower its sights 降低目标 spirit of co-operation 协作精神
discord 不和，分歧 lofty words 寓意深厚的演讲