乔治·华盛顿

张超

In 1775， when the American War of Independence began， George Washington was chosen to lead the American army. Washington knew his job would be difficult. The army was small. The soldiers were untrained and had few guns. The British army was large and strong. Its soldiers were very well trained.

1775年，美国独立战争刚刚开始，乔治·华盛顿被当选为美国军队的领袖。华盛顿知道任务相当艰巨。军队规模小，士兵未接受专门训练，枪支稀少。英国军队规模庞大，实力强大，还拥有训练有素的士兵。

The early battles showed Washingtons problems. His army was easily defeated in the Battle of New York. Then Washington thought of a plan. On Christmas night in 1776， he had his soldiers attack the enemy in the city of Trenton， New Jersey. The enemy soldiers never expected an attack on such a night. They were having a Christmas party. Washington won his first victory1. Washingtons army won the final battle in Yorktown in 1781.

早期的战争暴露出华盛顿不少的问题。在纽约战役中，华盛顿的部队轻易地被打败了。然后，他想出了一个计划。1776年的圣诞节夜晚，华盛顿带领士兵突袭了位于新泽西州特伦顿市的敌军部队。敌方军队从未预料到在这样一个夜晚会有进攻。他们正在举办圣诞晚会。至此，华盛顿打了第一场胜仗。1781年，华盛顿的部队在约克城赢得了最后的胜利。

George Washington was a great leader and was respected2 by all his men. He was not interested in fame3 or money， but only in helping his country. There are many stories about George Washington. The most famous story， though， is about a cherry4 tree. It is said that young George cut down his fathers cherry tree. When his father asked who cut down the tree， George confessed5 and said， “I cannot tell a lie.”

华盛顿是一位杰出的领袖，受到众人的尊重。他淡泊名利，一心专注于国家的强盛。关于乔治·华盛顿有很多故事，最出名的就是樱桃树的故事。据说，年幼的乔治砍掉了父亲的樱桃树。当父亲问是谁干的，乔治承认并说道：“我不能说谎。”

In 1789 leaders from all the states met to choose the first president of the United States. They had a vote6. Everyone voted for George Washington. So he became the countrys first president and is remembered as the “Father of the Country”.

1789年，各州领袖齐聚一堂，选举美国第一人总统。大家进行投票，每个人都把票投给乔治·华盛顿。于是他成为美国第一人总统，亦被尊称为“美国国父”。endprint