2014年的元旦马上就要到来，中国人过元旦大家一定非常熟悉，那么美国人是如何过元旦的呢？是不是像中国一样有许多跨年活动呢？

　　New Year's Eve in United States

　　New Year's Eve celebration is a gala affair for the people of US. They love to enjoy even the lastminute of the going year and welcome the New Year with a blast. Midnight parties, sumptuousdinners, live music and the dance floors make a perfect New Year's Eve bash. Every year, a hugeball is organized at Time Square in the New York City. This New Year celebration is watchedover by large number of Americans. A minute before the New Year's Day, a brightly lighted ballis dropped slowly from the top of a pole. As soon as the ball reaches the ground, it gives asignal of New Year and everybody hug and kiss each other wishing Happy New Year.

　　Elsewhere, many of New Year parties in US have a dress code or a theme. People cover theirfaces with masks. They unmask themselves only when the clock strikes 12. To have somemerriment with the family members at the beginning of the New Year, people prefer tocelebrate it at their homes. Many people watch television, eat the auspicious black-eyed peasand rice called Hoppin' Johns. There is also a tradition to open champagne bottles as the clockstrikes midnight on the New Year's Eve.

　　新年是全美各州一致庆祝的主要节日。美国人过新年，最热闹的是除夕晚上。是夜，人们聚集在教堂、街头或广场，唱诗、祈祷、祝福、忏悔，并一同迎候那除旧更新的一瞬。午夜12点，全国教堂钟声齐鸣，乐队高奏著名的怀旧歌曲《一路平安》。在音乐声中，激动的人们拥抱在一起，怀着惜别的感伤和对新生活的向往共同迎来新的一年。

　　北美的印第安人，还有其独特的风俗。每到除夕之夜，他们就举行富有特色的“簧火晚会”，一家入围在篝火旁边，载歌载舞，谈笑风生。待至晨曦微露，他们再把破旧衣物付诸一炬，作为除旧迎新的象征。

　　除夕活动，常常持续到次日凌晨两三点钟。到元旦这一天，通常比较安宁、闲散。许多入很晚才起床，然后同家人、朋友一起看看电视、吃顿新年饭。

　　New Year In United States

　　New Year in United States is celebrated on January 1, the first day of Gregorian Calendar. Thisis a Federal holiday in US. On this day, many people make resolutions to give away bad deedsand renew life with good ones. It's the time to remember the achievements and make merryfor the New Year. New Year is expected to bring good luck and charm for people and this is thereason why Americans love to celebrate it with fun and enjoyment.

　　在美国，每年的1月1日是新年，这是联邦节日。这一天，人家将抛弃过去一年不好的事情，许下新年的美好愿望，辞旧迎新。新年也标识着一个新的美好的开始，这一天大家都很快乐。

　　New Year Day Celebrations in United States

　　New Year's Day begin by wishing the near and dear ones 'Happy New Year'. People visit theirloved ones place and sometimes go out for picnic with them. New Year celebrations are furtheraccelerated by watching the famous Tournament of Roses Parade. Today, the parade is followed by thousands of participants - marching bands,dancing and singing various songs. The queen of the tournament rides on a special float madefrom lacs of flowers. This is a very eye-catchy scene of the whole parade. There is also a NewYear custom to play the most famous games of football such as the Orange Bowl and the FiestaBowl.

　　虽然元旦并不是最热闹的一天，但仍有不少州举行极富地方色彩的庆祝活动。加利福尼亚州有玫瑰花会，这是美国规模最大的新年庆典。七八十年前，加利福尼亚农村的一些俱乐部成员，每逢柑桔成熟季节，使用鲜花装饰自己的马车，在村里搞一些小型庆祝活动。时至今日，它已发展成十里长街布满鲜花的盛大庆典。五六十辆完全用鲜花、特别是用玫瑰花扎成的彩车徐徐而行，长达数英里，车上还有用鲜花做的各种模型。这不仪吸引了加州的男女老少簇拥街头，而且还吸引上百万的电视观众。

　　在费城，有长达10小时之久的化装游行。这种活动的起源要追溯到17世纪中叶定居于特拉华河沿岸的瑞典与英国移民的习俗。当年他们总是身着盛装在乡村举行新年庆祝游行。今日费城的化装游行固然比当年更有组织，但仍然保留着昔日的特色。参加游行的人们，有的装扮成小丑，有的化装成妇女(按照古老习俗，这个游行不允许妇女参加)，随着彩车，载歌载舞，人流如水，热闹非凡。每年参加的入数总在一两万左右。

　　此外还有不少州举行元旦足球赛。鲜花盛开的加利福尼亚州，有玫瑰杯足球赛;盛产棉花的得克萨斯州达拉斯城，有棉花杯足球赛;甘蔗产地路易斯安那州新奥尔良，有糖杯足球赛;后来又新出现佛罗里达州杰克森维尔城的鳄鱼杯赛，以及得克萨斯州埃尔帕索城的太阳杯赛等等。

　　美国入还有一个有意思的习惯，就是在新年许愿立志，他们称之为“新年决心”。这决心通常不是什么宏图大志，而是一些朴实而实际的打算。例如：“我一定戒烟”，或者“我要好好对待邻居”等等。他们总是坦率地讲给大家听，以期得到监督和鼓励。