[ti:2020 Is Definitely 'One for the History Books']
[by:www.21voa.com]
[00:00.00]更多听力请访问21VOA.COM
[00:08.40]And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
[00:19.40]It is safe to say that the year 2020
[00:22.92]has been “one for the history books.”
[00:26.20]It stands out.
[00:29.00]And it is so worth remembering that historians
[00:32.68]will certainly write about it in history books.
[00:37.04]Sadly, 2020 will be remembered mostly for a bad reason
[00:43.60]- the coronavirus pandemic.
[00:46.44]It will also “go down in history”
[00:49.68]as the year of face masks and quarantines.
[00:55.36]Of course, 2020 did not start out as a year that would “make history.”
[01:02.52]It started off as just a normal year.
[01:07.72]However, when health officials said the virus had turned
[01:12.04]into a worldwide pandemic … that was “history in the making.”
[01:19.72]Countries closed their borders, schools and businesses closed,
[01:26.12]and people stayed indoors.
[01:30.12]Although, something good also can be “one for the history books.”
[01:35.88]For example, the hard work and sacrifice of healthcare workers
[01:41.92]during the pandemic is also “one for the history books.”
[01:47.92]The scientists who make an effective vaccine
[01:51.52]will also “go down in history” for their important work.
[01:57.80]History remembers some years fondly.
[02:02.76]Maybe there was a World Cup, a space launch,
[02:07.12]or an Olympics for the history books.
[02:10.60]But not 2020.
[02:14.56]Let's imagine that the year 2020 has feelings.
[02:19.88]It might feel badly to know it is “going down in history”
[02:24.16]as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
[02:28.24]It might tell us that a pandemic was not in its plans.
[02:33.76]It might say that the pandemic is not that serious.
[02:38.48]It might say everyone is making a big deal out of nothing.
[02:44.48]That would put 2020 very much “on the wrong side of history.”
[02:50.60]This phrase usually describes outdated decisions,
[02:55.04]practices, or opinions.
[02:58.28]No one wants to be “on the wrong side of history.”
[03:03.28]So, maybe 2020 should just stop talking.
[03:08.28]If people had any goodwill left for this unfortunate year …
[03:13.32]it would be “history.”
[03:15.20]That goodwill would be forgotten.
[03:18.80]If something is “history,” it is gone, destroyed,
[03:23.08]or at least in very serious trouble.
[03:27.08]But 2020 is not unreasonable.
[03:30.72]More likely, it probably hopes that it will soon be “ancient history.”
[03:37.16]If we say something is “ancient history,”
[03:40.68]it is usually a troubled event that is long forgotten.
[03:45.96]People have moved on.
[03:48.28]In other words, 2020 may hope that we completely forget about it.
[03:54.88]Although, forgetting about it would be foolish and even dangerous.
[04:00.80]Lessons from history can be important.
[04:04.48]In fact, we have a saying:
[04:07.28]“those who don't learn history are destined to repeat it.”
[04:12.96]If we don't study history,
[04:15.28]it may be our destiny to make the same mistakes again and again.
[04:22.60]And here is another saying: “history often repeats itself.”
[04:28.36]So, it may be a good idea
[04:30.40]to remember the valuable lessons we have learned in 2020.
[04:35.72]Even though it may have been a very difficult year for many people,
[04:40.72]we must fight the urge to “rewrite history.”
[04:46.08]When we “rewrite history,” we re-create facts
[04:50.32]to fit our own way of thinking or our own plans.
[04:55.92]So, to 2020 we say this: Do not despair. Do not be sad.
[05:02.28]You are part of our “shared history.”
[05:06.52]In your dark and uncertain days, there were also bright, beautiful moments.
[05:12.40]There were people caring for each other and selfless heroes.
[05:18.00]And we are not likely to forget them or you.
[05:22.12]All are destined for the history books.
[05:26.56]And that's Words and Their Stories.
[05:28.64]Until next time … I'm Anna Matteo.
[05:31.44]更多听力请访问21VOA.COM
END OF TRACK. "END OF TRACK." The two men bowed. "Whoever was that person you were talking to?" she enquired, as soon as they stood together. The took of triumph faded from her eyes, she had grown worn and weary. The roses were wilting on the walls, the lights were mostly down now. Hetty, looking in to see if anything was wanted, found herself driven away almost fiercely. I only saw Master Jervie once when he called at tea time, The year 1747 was opened by measures of restriction. The House of Lords, offended at the publication of the proceedings of the trial of Lord Lovat, summoned the parties to their bar, committed them to prison, and refused to liberate them till they had pledged themselves not to repeat the offence, and had paid very heavy fees. The consequence of this was that the transactions of the Peers were almost entirely suppressed for nearly thirty years from this time, and we draw our knowledge of them chiefly from notes taken by Horace Walpole and Lord Chancellor Hardwicke. What is still more remarkable, the reports of the House of Commons, being taken by stealth, and on the merest sufferance, are of the most meagre kind, sometimes altogether wanting, and the speeches are given uniformly under fictitious names; for to have attributed to Pitt or Pelham their[112] speeches by name would have brought down on the printers the summary vengeance of the House. Many of the members complained bitterly of this breach of the privileges of Parliament, and of "being put into print by low fellows"; but Pelham had the sense to tolerate them, saying, "Let them alone; they make better speeches for us than we can make for ourselves." Altogether, the House of Commons exhibited the most deplorable aspect that can be conceived. The Ministry had pursued Walpole's system of buying up opponents by place, or pension, or secret service money, till there was no life left in the House. Ministers passed their measures without troubling themselves to say much in their behalf; and the opposition dwindled to Sir John Hinde Cotton, now dismissed from office, and a feeble remnant of Jacobites raised but miserable resistance. In vain the Prince of Wales and the secret instigations of Bolingbroke and Doddington stimulated the spirit of discontent; both Houses had degenerated into most silent and insignificant arenas of very commonplace business. "It certainly will be. Miss Widgeon," answered Maria, with strictly "company manners." "One who has never had a brother exposed to the constant dangers of army life can hardly understand how glad we all feel to have Si snatched from the very jaws of death and brung back to us." "Just plug at 'em as you would at a crow, and then go on your way whistlin'?" persisted Harry. "Hurroo!" echoed Hennessey; "that's the ticket." "Come forward, keeper," continued the baron, "and state how these arrows came into your hands!" "Yes." HoMEJULIA京香2018下载
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