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1、 新课标（模块3）Unit1ValentinesDAY Valentines Day Valentines Day(情人节) is named for Saint Valentine an early Christian churchman(牧师) who reportedly helped young lovers. Valentine was killed for his Christian beliefs on February 14 more than 1,700 years ago, but the day that has his name is even earlier than
2、 that. More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient(远古的) Romans celebrated a holiday for lovers. As part of the celebration, girls wrote their names on pieces of paper and put them in a large container. Boys reached into the container and pulled one out. The girl whose name was written on the paper became
3、 his lover or sweet heart for a year. Lovers still put their names on pieces of paper and they send each other Valentines Day cards that tell of their love. Sometimes they also send gifts, like flowers or chocolate candy. Americans usually send these gifts and cards through the mail system. But some
4、 used another way to send this message. They have it printed in a newspaper. The cost is usually a few dollars. Some of the messages are simple and short, Jane, I love you very much .Others say more. This one, for example, Don, roses are red. Violets(紫罗兰) are blue. I hope you love me as much as I lo
5、ve you. Forever, Mary. Most of the newspapers that print such messages are local, but USA Today is sold throughout the United States and 90 other countries as well. This means someone can send a Valentine message to a lover in a far-away city or town almost anywhere in the world. These messages cost
6、 80 dollars and more. An employee(职员) of USA Today says readers can have a small heart or rose printed along with their messages this year. Will this kind of Valentines Day message reach the one you love? Well, just make sure he or she reads the newspaper.New Years Day Like many people all over the
7、world, Americans enjoy celebrating the arrival of each new year. Almost everyone makes an occasion of New Years Eve in order to see the old year out and welcome the new one. In New York, a favorite gathering place on December 31 is New York Citys Times Square. Thousands of Americans and internationa
8、l tourists crowd this famous spot (at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue) and crane their necks to watch for Happy New Year to flash across the electronically controlled sign that moves around. When the moment arrives bedlam breaks forth. Bells ring, whistles blow, people cheer with the
9、ir happy excitement. The cheerful scene goes one after another in public squares throughout the country, but not at the same moment. Because of the four time zones in the United States the New Year comes to the Central States one hour later, to the Mountain States two hours later, and finally to the
10、 Western States three hours after the Eastern States have said goodbye to another year. So by following the radio and television broadcasts everyone can enjoy the festivities in other parts of the country as well as their own. Some people prefer to see the old year out at a church service. Although
11、the holiday does not have religious origin, many churches hold Watch Night services on New Year s Eve. Those who go to churches can solemnly renew their dedication to God for the coming year. The custom of visiting friends, relatives and neighbors is one of the popular activities on New Year s Day.
12、This activity is called Open House. The custom of Open House was inaugurated by George Washington during his first term as President. On January 1, 1789, President Washington first opened the doors of his official residence to all who wished to come. An Open House is just what the name implies: the
13、front door is left open. Inside the door there is a spirit of relaxed cordiality, and guests are free to arrive and leave when they like. Invitations may say simply, Drop in after the game or Come drink a New Year s toast with us. On January 1, now, families hold Open House so that their friends can
14、 visit them throughout the day to express good wishes for the new year. Many championship football games are scheduled for New Years Day, and there is usually an elaborate parade before each football game. Often, much of the day is spent watching these games on television April Fools Day (April 1) I
15、n sixteenth-century France, the start of the new year was observed on April first. It was celebrated in much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night. Then in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and the new year fell on January first. There were some people, however, who hadnt heard or didnt believe the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Years Day on April first. Others played tricks on them and called them April fools. They sent them on a foo
