This Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. The writer O. Henry called it the one day that is purely American. Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday. But it has spiritual meaning. Some Americans attend religious services on the day before Thanksgiving, or on Thanksgiving morning. Others travel long distances to be with their families. They have a large dinner, which is the main part of the celebration.

本周四是感恩節。作家歐·亨利把這一天稱為“純美國式”的節日。感恩節不是一個宗教節日，但它有宗教方面的含義。一些美國人在感恩節的前一天或是感恩節的早上參加宗教儀式，還有的長途跋涉和他們的家人團聚。感恩節的主要慶祝方式是一桌豐盛的家庭晚宴。

For many Americans, Thanksgiving is the only time when all members of a family gather. The holiday is a time of family reunion.

對許多美國人來說，感恩節這一天是所有家庭成員歡聚一堂的難得時光。這個節日是家人團聚的時刻。

Thanksgiving week is generally one of the busiest travel times of the year. Many Americans who usually visit family and friends by plane are driving shorter distances instead this week. Some mental-health experts say the attacks have frightened people. They say people feel safer and happier close to home.

感恩節這一周通常是全年中人們出行最為繁忙的時段之一。許多經常坐飛機走親訪友的美國人這一周將改為短途駕車。一些心理健康專家認為，恐怖襲擊令人們感到恐慌。他們說，人們在離家較近的地方會覺得更安全、更快樂。

More than any other holiday, Thanksgiving is a celebration of family and home. Many people say that this year they are especially thankful for their families and friends and the good things in their lives. On Thanksgiving, people enjoy a long day of cooking, eating and talking. The traditional meal almost always includes a turkey with a bread mixture cooked inside.

與其它節日不同，感恩節是一個家庭節日。許多人說，今年他們特別感謝他們的家人、朋友和生活中一切美好的事物。在感恩節，人們享受著一整天的烹調、美味和交談所帶來的快樂。傳統的感恩節大餐都包括一只火雞，火雞內填滿面包和火雞一起做熟。

Other traditional Thanksgiving foods served with turkey are sweet potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Stores are said to sell more food at Thanksgiving than at any other time of the year. And many people eat more food at Thanksgiving than at any other time of the year.

其他和火雞相搭配的傳統感恩節食物有：紅薯，越橘和南瓜派。據說，感恩節前后，商店出售的食物比一年中的任何時候都要多。當然，許多人在感恩節吃的食物也比一年中其它的時候要多。

Over the years, Americans have added new traditions to their Thanksgiving celebration. For example, a number of professional and university football games are played on Thanksgiving Day. Some of the games are broadcast on national television.

近年來，美國人給感恩節增添了新的慶祝方式。例如，在感恩節這一天會舉行由職業隊和大學生參加的橄欖球比賽。其中有些比賽在國家電視臺播放。

（來源：網易博客，英語點津Julie編輯）