The USA
美国
The USA was also born from revolution, and its flag, the Stars and Stripes, is a symbol of this.
美国也诞生于革命,美国国旗“星条旗”就象征了这一点。
The USA was originally made up of settlers from Britain and other countries, organized into thirteen British colonies.
美国原来是由英国和其他国家的殖民地组成,有13个州。
Even though they lived in colonies, the Americans had been used to autonomous rule and low taxes.
虽然他们曾居住在殖民地,美国人可以自治并且有很低的税收。
However, after the French and Indian War, the British raised the tax rates in America to a high level in order to pay for the conflict.
但是,法国和印度战争之后,英国人提高了美国的税收以便支付战乱的损失。
When the Americans objected to this, the British would not compromise, but increased control over their American colonies instead,
当美洲人对此表示反对时,英国人不但没有让步,反而加强了对美洲殖民地的控制,
taking away many of their rights, and stationing soldiers there in order to make sure that Americans would obey them.
剥夺了美洲人的许多权力,同时在美洲驻军以确保他们服从英国统治。
At this, the American demanded separation from Britain, and on 4 July 1776, they declared that they would no longer submit to British rule.
由此,美国人要求从英国的统治中脱离,1776年7月4日,他们宣布不再服从英国的统治。。
This led to war, and to America gaining its independence.
这引发了战争,也使美国获得了独立。
The colours red, white and blue, along with the stars and stripes on the American flag, all represent different things.
美国国旗上的红色、白色和蓝色,以及国旗上的星星和条纹都有不同的象征意义。
Red represents strength and bravery, white means virtue, and blue stands for hard work and justice.
红色代表了力量和勇气,白色代表了美德,蓝色代表了勤奋和正义。
There are fifty stars on the flag, one for each state, representing the union of fifty states into one cuntry in a federal system.
美国国旗上有50颗星,每颗星代表了一个州,代表五十个州联合成一个自由系统的国家。
The thirteen stripes are to remind people of the thirteen states that joined together to fight for independence from Britain.
13条条纹则是为了纪念联合起来,脱离英国争取独立的那13个州。
Each year on 4 July, the USA celebrates Independence Day, when the Stars and Stripes can be seen all over the country, lit by fireworks in the night sky.
每年7月4日,美国都会庆祝独立日,那时,美国全国各地都可以看见被夜空的烟火照亮的星条旗。