20101125 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1)

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

America starts Thanksgiving in style

Today in America, most families are gathering together for a feast. In addition, they will play games or watch football together. However, for many, the holiday doesn't seem complete without viewing this large parade in New York City.

How it started

Back in 1924, many of Macy's Department Store employees were European immigrants. Wanting to celebrate American holidays as they did in Europe, they staged a parade. The parade consisted of three floats, four bands and many animals from the Central Park Zoo. Many Macy's employees dressed up and marched in this parade too. And Santa Claus appeared at the parade's end - still a tradition 86 years later!

Today's celebration

Some aspects of this parade have changed over the years. Floats, marching bands and Santa are still a part of the parade, but animals aren't. Those watching today will see numerous giant balloons shaped like animals or famous cartoon characters. Ten thousand people now take part in this parade. More than 3.5 million watch from the sidewalks, and the expected TV audience is 50 million. Many Americans just can't imagine a Thanksgiving without the magical Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

parade n. 遊行

eg: Many townspeople gathered at the Plaza to watch the parade.

=> 許多鎮民聚集在廣場看遊行

eg: People wear green outfits to attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

=> 人們穿著綠的打扮參加聖帕特里克日的遊行。

parade v. 遊行

eg: Firemen and paramedics parade through the streets.

=> 消防隊員和救護人員一起在街上遊行

emigrant n.(移出去的)移民

immigrant n.從國外移民進來的移民

=> people who have moved out of thier country into a foreign country in order to live/work

eg: Leo’s father was an Italian immigrant.

=> Leo的父親是一位義大利的移民

eg: Illegal immigrants will be sent back immediately.

=> 非法移民會被立即遣返

float v. 漂浮

float n. 遊行的花車

eg: The float was decorated with carnations and roses.

=> 這個花車是用康乃馨和玫瑰花裝飾而成的

eg: The dancers on the floats dressed like characters in fairy tales.

=> 這台花車上的舞者穿著童話故事中人物的衣服

in style 別具風格的

=> in a very likeable stylish way

stage a parade

=> here stage means "organize something that is shown"

march v. 齊步前進

magical adj.

=> wonderful/exciting/special

//== Chat room ==//

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

=> 這裡的parade是指遊行

parade n. 行列

eg: a parade of people 行列人一個接一個出現的人

eg: a parade of books 接連不斷的書

parade v. 炫耀

=> show off

eg: parade around the neighborhood in his new car

=> 開著新車繞來繞去炫耀他的新車。

//== Grammar on the go ==//

Many Americans just can't imagine a Thanksgiving without the magical Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Subject + can't imagine a + something + without + something.

eg: Many Chinese just can't imagine a Lunar New Year celebration without firecrackers.

eg: Jeff is always online, so he can't imagine living in a place with no Internet access.