Inauguration Day - What is this, exactly?
 

It's a historic moment. Every four years we have in the United States, on January 20th., the Inauguration Day. This is the day the new elected president takes office. There is a great celebration in Washington, DC!  You probably must hear a lot of it on TV, and read about it on the Internet (in English, I hope!).  But what about the English vocabulary? What if you had to write or speak in English about this big event?  To practice, keep liestening news in English, and reading, too.... because by reading you can learn how to spell those words you heard and your English will get better and better!

Below there is a short excerpt from The Washington Post newspaper. Practice reading and finding new words!  

Here is a Vocabulary Helper:

embodying = incorporating

oath = solemn vow; solemn promise

to take office = assume an office, duty or title (assumir o cargo presidencial)

"take the oath of office" = pledge (fazer o juramento)

dawn = sunrise, appearance

awe = respect, veneration (it could also mean surprise, fear, marvel)

swearing-in = commiting to an oath (juramento em cerimônias de posse)

 

Embodying the nation's hopes for better days ahead, Barack Obama takes the oath of office today.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009; Page A24

THE DAWN of a new presidency is always a time of awe and anxiety. The awe comes in bearing witness to the peaceful transfer of power as a new chapter of national history unfolds. The anxiety speaks to an untested new leader and the challenges he will face. The swearing-in today of the nation's 44th president is a moment of particular extremes: enormous joy, great hope, deep fears.

 

To read more about this go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/19/AR2009011902231.html

 

 

 

 

 

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