N. Kryazheva - The United States and the United Kingdom. Past and Present (pdf), страница 3

What can you say about the first American President?c. When did George Washington become the first American President?d. How did Americans commemorate their first President?2. True or False?a. Abraham Lincoln was the first American President, was not he?b. Abraham Lincoln was elected a candidate for Congress from the state California, was not he?c. Abraham Lincoln was an enemy of slavery, was not he?3.

Explain your point of view to the words of Lincoln: "The Government that isof the people, by the people and for the people will never perish on this Earth".NOW HE BELONGS TO THE AGESThe 14th of April 1865 was a tragic day in the history of the United States. On the evening of that day, President AbrahamLincoln went to Ford's Theatre in Washington to see a play, which was popular at the time and never returned.The day had started for the President with the usual office duties. The city of Washington D.C. was still in a happy mood. Theweather was fine, the sky was cloudless, a fresh spring wind was blowing about flags on private and govern* ment buildings.

Thewar had only ended a few days before, and the whole country continued to celebrate.The theatre visit for that evening was planned by Mrs. Lincoln. The President usually enjoyed going to the theatre and wentvery often. But this evening he had no wish to go. He felt very tired all day and looked upset. He finally decided to go, however,because it had been announced in the newspapers that the President would be present at Ford's Theatre.The President arrived at the theatre when the play had already begun. When he appeared in the box, the audience greeted himwith a storm of applause and the performance was interrupted for a moment.

Then the play went on.At about ten o'clock an actor named John Booth came into the theatre and walked directly towards Lincoln's box. Henoiselessly opened the door, approached the President so that his gun was only a short distance from his head, took aim and fired.The President fell forward in his chair. Booth immediately jumped from the box to the stage. He landed heavily, gave a cry of painand had to lie still for a moment. Then he got up with difficulty and slowly walked to the back of the stage. His leg was broken, buthe was able to get outside where a horse was waiting for him.

The audience saw him do all this, but they thought that it was all partof the play. Then suddenly they heard a woman's voice cry out: "The President has been killed." It was Mrs. Lincoln cry.Immediately a young doctor from the audience hurried to the box. After he examined Lincoln, he said that the President had only afew hours to live. Lincoln was lifted from his chair and carried to a house opposite the theatre, where he remained until his death thenext morning. When he died, one of the people in the room said: "Now he belongs to the ages." These words have since becomefamous.to return-возвращатьсяreturn-возвращениеto greet-приветствоватьgreetings-приветствияto celebrate-праздноватьcelebration-празднованиеperformance - постановка,исполнениеto perform - выполнять, делатьto be in good moods - быть в хорошем настроенииto announce - объявлятьanouncement - объявлениеto arrive- прибыватьarrival- прибытиеto be tired- уставатьto be upset-быть расстроенымapproach- подходTasks:1.Describe the city of Washington D.C.

on the eve of the tragic event.2. Ask your group-mate about the event, which took place on the 14th of April in 1865 in the USA.3.Whom do the words "Now he belongs to ages" refer to?4. Make up a short dialogue about the President Lincoln s last day.WASHINGTON, D.C.At present the Union comprises 50 states administratively united by the Federal Government inWashington, D.C. Now the District of Columbia is a Federal district, not a state and does not belong toany state. The district is named after Columbus.

It was established in 1790 on the territory, which wasceded from the State of Maryland by the Act of Congress to become the permanent seat of theFederal Government.W.D.C. is, indeed, like no other city of the USA. It is unique among the bustling cities of the US; itspopulation has topped the mark of 1 ml.

Its the only industry is a government. As the nation 's capital andseat of the Federal Government, it is the heart of the country. It abounds in national monuments andhistoric buildings. Conceived by the French-born Piere Charles L'Enfant in 1791, the Federal Cityremains today much as it was originally designed. Washington, D.C. is rich in fine, freestanding outdoorsculptures.The Capitol is the center of city. It is situated on Capitol Hill, which is the highest place in the city.Topping the dome is the 19-feet bronze statue of Freedom.

There is a law that forbids to build houseshigher than the Capitol.The Capitol is the seat of Congress. It is made of stone and marble and contains 540 rooms. From theCapitol the streets are "lettered" E or W and "numbered". Broad avenues bear the names of states andrun diagonally. From the Capitol to the White House runs Pennsylvania Avenue which is rich in historyas the scene of every inaugural parade since Thomas Jefferson.From left are the monumental carved heads ofG. Washington, T.Jefferson, T. Roosevelt, A.Lincoln.The White House on Pennsylvania Avenue has been the official home of every President since 1800when the capital was moved to Washington from Philadelphia.

The site was chosen by G. Washington;the house was designed by James Hoban; the corner-stone was laid in 1792. It has 132 rooms. In theBlue Room the President and the First Lady receive guests and hold diplomatic functions. The OvalOffice is the President's office.The Lincoln Memorial, a marble building, situated at the west end of the Mall, was designed byHenry Bacon and dedicated to Memorial Day - May 30th, in 1922 and to the Great Emancipator 16thPresident of the USA (1861-1865). Within the broad framework of classical design, the structure has amotif that symbolizes the Union of the States.

The 36 columns surrounding the walls of the memorialbuilding represent the 36 States in the Union at the time of Lincoln's death. The Marble Statue of Lincolnoccupies the place of honor centrally located near the back of the chamber and facing the WashingtonMonument and the Capitol.The Washington Monument is one of the city's most impressive sights.

It is situated in Potomac Park.The W. Monument in the center of the Mall is a 555-feet marble and granite obelisk commemorating G.Washington. It was erected on February 21, 1885 and opened to the public in 1888. It is called "ThePencil", because it is one of the tallest stone constructions in the world and the tallest stone structure inthe US. A National Independence Day Celebration featuring a spectacular display of fire-works is stagedon the W.M. grounds each year on July 4.There are many libraries, museums and art galleries in the city. The National Gallery of Art wascompleted in 1947 and was accepted by President Fr. D.Roosevelt on behalf of the people of the USA.The paintings and sculptures given by Andrew Mellon, comprising works by the greatest masters from the14th to the I9th century, have formed a nucleus of high quality from which the collection has grown.

It isone of the finest picture galleries in America. The NASA Museum -the US government organisationresponsible for space travel and scientific study of space is devoted to the US achievements in theexploration of space.The Library of Congress, the biggest existing library in the world, was opened on the 24th April, 1800. Itcontains more than 13 ml books in various languages. The law of 1870 makes it obligatory to send to thelibrary 2 copies of every American book published. There is the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. which wasbuilt between 1941-43. The Pentagon is the large 5-sided building near Washington, D.C, which containsthe main offices of the US Department of Defence.John F.

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors to three perfect theatres in 1971. Itis also famous for its Grand Foyer, Hall of States and Hall of Nations. Grand Foyer is one of the largestrooms in the world, which provides a central lobby for opera, ballet and music performances. It is thesetting for the bronze head of President Kennedy.There are many beautiful parks and gardens in the capital.

One can see the famous cherry trees therewhich are the gift from Japan. They were brought there in 1912 as the symbol of friendship andcooperation between the two countries.Words and Phrases:nucleus - ядроto abound - изобиловатьto bear - носить (название)to dedicate - посвящатьon behalf of - от имениmansion - особняк, дворецMall -парк в W., D.C.to feature - отводить важнейшее местоto coincide with - совпадатьmotif = motive- мотив, побуждениеto feature - изображатьstatesman - государственный деятельdisplay of fire-work - показ фейерверкаto cede - передавать, уступатьto renovate - восстанавливатьcherry - вишняTasks:1.