摘要
汶川大地震是新中国成立以来规模最大、受创最深的自然灾害．它同时唤起了全体中国人万众同心、共担灾难的民族精神．凸现了一个人人自愿担当公民责任、自发抗震救灾的公民社会。从唐山大地震到汶川大地震，32年后抗震中公开透明的政府、担当责任的公民、举国哀悼的国殇日，都昭显了精神上和物质上都真正进步了的中国．使这两次大地震成为时代进步的地标。
Then Massive May 12 earthquake of Wenchuan was the most serious and devastating natural disaster China suffered since the establishment of People＇s Republic of China, arousing and lifting Chinese people＇ s national spirit and morale to unite together in combating major catastrophes, crystallizing a civic society where everyone lives up to his/her responsibilities to volunteer their efforts in relief works. 32 years after the Tangshan earthquake, we saw a spiritually-lifted and materially-improved China from its transparent government and responsible citizens demonstrated in this Wenchuan earthquake, and its observance of a national mourning for those passed away, making these two earthquakes hallmarks of China＇s progress.
