白宫从前并不是白色的，也不称白宫，而被称作“总统大厦”、“总统之宫”。1792年始建时是一栋灰色的沙石建筑。从1800年起，它成为美国总统在任期内办公与其家人居住的地方。但是在1812年发生的第二次美英战争中，英国军队入侵华盛顿。1814年8月24日，英军焚毁了这座建筑物，只留下了一付空架子。1817年，为了掩饰火烧过的痕迹，门罗总统下令在灰色沙石上漆上了一层白色的油漆。此后这栋总统官邸一直被称为“白宫”。1902年美国总统西奥多·罗斯福正式把它命名为“白宫”，后成为美国政府的代名词。有趣的是，第一位入住白宫的总统并不是第一任总统华盛顿，而是第二任总统约翰·亚当斯。对人们来说白宫总是充满了神秘感。根据白宫支出由全体纳税人担负的原则，白宫的一部分在规定时间内向全世界公民开放，因此成了游人观光的热点。
●Remarks by President Hu of the People's Republic of China at Official Welcoming Ceremony 胡锦涛主席在欢迎仪式上的致辞（节选）
Our cooperation as partners should be based on mutual respect. We live in an increasingly diverse and colorful world.China and the United States should respect each other's choice of development path and each other's core interests.We should deepen mutual understanding through communication， increase mutual trust through dialogue， and expand common ground through exchanges.
Our cooperation as partners should be based on mutual benefit. China's future and destiny are increasingly tied to those of the world and China-U.S.relations have become closer.Our two countries should seek to learn from each other through exchanges and achieve win-win progress through cooperation.This is the right approach for us to develop our relations.
Our cooperation as partners should be based on joint efforts to meet challenges. China and the United States should step up communication and coordination in international affairs， work together to counter the global challenges， and make a greater contribution to world peace and development.
Our cooperation as partners should be based on the extensive involvement of the people. The Chinese and American people cherish deep friendship towards each other， and they fought side by side at defining moments in history when the future and the destiny of mankind were at stake.The two peoples should extend exchanges and enhance friendship.This will offer an inexhaustible driving force for the growth of our relations.
中美伙伴合作应该基于相互尊重。我们生活在一个越来越丰富多彩的世界之中，中美两国要尊重彼此对发展道路的选择，尊重对方核心利益，通过沟通加深了解，通过对话增进互信，通过交流扩大共识。
中美伙伴合作应该基于互利共赢。中国的前途命运日益紧密地同世界的前途命运联系在一起，中美交往更加紧密，交流互鉴应该成为我们的共同选择，合作共赢应该成为我们的相处之道。
中美伙伴合作应该基于共迎挑战。中美两国应该就国际事务加强沟通和协调，合作应对各种全球性挑战，为世界和平与发展作出更大贡献。
中美伙伴合作应该基于人民广泛参与。中美两国人民相互怀有深厚的友好感情，曾经在决定人类前途命运的重大历史关头并肩战斗。两国人民应该扩大交往、加强友谊，为中美关系发展提供不竭动力。
4.The Melting Pot of Culture 文化大熔炉
●United States is a "Melting Pot" 美国是个“大熔炉”
American culture derived in British colonial period. Generally speaking， the most significant impact on American culture comes from northern Europe， especially Germany， England and Ireland， and later Italy， Greece， and Central Europe， Jewish.The original African-Americans as slaves from West Africa saved some of their culture and brought them to U.S.. So， U.S.Geographic Names often reflect England， the Netherlands， France， Spain， and a comprehensive history of Native American ingredients and so on.
A deive model of American culture is the "melting pot"： the cultural contribution of immigrants to bring their own integration into American culture， and ultimately format a unified American culture. Apple pie， baseball， and the American flag are the symbols of American culture.Before the 20th century， the American culture first imitated Europe（especially UK）and gradually developed into its own characteristics.With the highily development of U.S.economy， military and had a major impact political strength after World War II， its culture around the world， especially in Europe.Today， American pop music is everywhere， films and televisions produced in the America is broadcasting in all of the world.
美国文化诞生于英属殖民地时期。总体上说，美国文化最显著的影响来自北欧，特别是德意志、英格兰和爱尔兰以及后来的意大利、希腊和中欧犹太人的文化影响。原为奴隶的非裔美国人也保存了一些自西非带来的文化。因此，美国的地理名称往往体现出英格兰、荷兰、法国、西班牙和美国原住民等的综合历史成分。
一个描述美国文化的模型是“大熔炉”：各种移民带来自己的文化，融入美国文化之中，最终形成一个统一的美国文化。而苹果派、棒球、美国国旗都是美国文化的象征。20世纪之前的美国文化从模仿欧洲（尤其是英国）逐渐发展到拥有自己的特色。二战后随着美国经济、军事、政治实力的飞跃，它的文化又对全世界，特别是欧洲产生了重大的影响。时至今日，美国流行音乐响彻全球，美国电影和电视则在全球播放。
●Melting Pot of Culture—The Traditional American Taboo 文化大熔炉——美国人的传统禁忌
Age. Age is a very sensitive issue for many Americans' especially for women over age 30.In this youth upheld culture， the thought of growing older is always very painful.If possible， most of us would like to have nothing to do with it.So many Americans try their best to maintain a youthful appearance.The last thing they don't want to be asked is， "How old are you exactly？"
Weight. This is one of the touchiest subjects too.In America， looks thin is good， even enviable， but it is a sin and a huge embarrassment to be overweight.In fact， the thinner you are， the prettier you are considered.Looking any American fashion magazines， you'll notice that most models are nothing more than skin and bones.Believe it or not， the tall and thin look was the hottest look.Americans very concern about their weight and rarely disclose how much they weigh… even if they are thin and in great shape.Therefore， you'd better not ask about it.But if you absolutely have to comment on this subject， it's always more safe to say "Oh， you look like you have lost weight" than "Oh， you look like you put on a few pounds".However， if you would like to be honest but not hurtful， you must choose your words carefully， perhaps it can be said， "Hey， you look great.Very healthy looking." And always remember， it's not fat but muscular.
Income. You should never ask how much someone's salary is.There's no way around this one.However， it's perfectly suitable to ask about their job title and what they do for a living.This information should give you some idea how much they earn a year.
