It's conquered a continent with technology.

科技引领他们征服着这片大陆

But throughout the nation's history,

然而纵观美国发展历史

it is communications technology that played a defining role.

真正起着决定性作用的是通讯技术的发展

1865,the telegraph help its President Abraham Lincoln win the war for the North.

1865年，电报帮助亚伯拉罕·林肯率领的北方军在内战中取胜

He virtually seize and can command every battle.

他几乎亲自掌控与指挥每一场战役

1945,David Sarnoff, Eisenhower's most senior communications expert,

1945年，艾森豪威尔麾下的资深通讯专家大卫·沙诺夫

helped develop television for America.

协助美国开发了电视机

By 1950, Sarnoff creates one of the biggest TV broadcast networks in the world.

到1950年 沙诺夫创立了世界上最大的电视广播网之一

TV may be a new form of entertainment,

电视不仅是一种新的娱乐方式

but it's also the most powerful communications device in existence.

更是当时最强大的通讯设备

Sarnoff recognized that there was going to be awesome power.

沙诺夫意识到电视将成为一股强大的力量

And that, with that awesome power--was going to come awesome responsibility.

但随之而来的将是更为重大的责任

By 1970, the American public is watching more television than any nation on earth.

到1970年 美国公众收看电视的数量超过了所有其他国家

Over five hours a day for every man, woman and child.

人们每天在电视前的时间均不下5小时

There are more TV news programs than any country in the world.

电视新闻节目的数量也远超其他国家

Over 70% of the adult population watch the television news every evening.

七成以上的成年人每晚都收看电视新闻

And when pictures of the moon landings are broadcast live,

而当登月实况在电视上播出时

it isn't just a technological success,

这已不仅是技术上的成功

it is a symbolic victory in the Cold War.

而更象征着冷战中的胜利

But there's a real war closer to American lives.

但有场真正的战争 其实更加性命攸关

Vietnam.

越南战争

A bitter conflict in Southeast Asia.

美国深陷东南亚的一场鏖战

America fears communism will sweep the region

美国惧怕共产主义风暴席卷这一地区

and wants to stop its influence.

想要阻止这一态势

But the U.S. Military and all its technology

但强大的美军与先进的武器

comes up hard against determined guerrilla movements.

却终不敌背水一战的游击队

And the war is being fought

为这场战争

by hundreds of thousands of drafted young Americans.

美国征召了几十万年轻士兵

We ask so much of our 18-year-olds

我们召集了大量刚满18岁的孩子

to go over to a foreign land, the jungle no less

跋涉到一个无异于野生丛林的陌生国度

and fight gorillas who are home on their turf

与当地游击队作战 他们熟悉地形

and don't like at all the invading army.

并且对外来入侵非常反感