Prompt: Elaborate the Resolute Desk. Give some examples and interesting stories.
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** 堅定桌 (Resolute/ˈrez.ə.luːt/ Desk) **是世界上最著名的家具之一，自1961年由約翰·F·甘迺迪總統首次放置於橢圓形辦公室以來，幾乎每位美國總統都曾使用過這張桌子。它的歷史充滿象徵意義、國際外交和引人入勝的故事。
堅定桌的起源
這張桌子由英國北極探險船**HMS Resolute（堅定號）**的木材製成。堅定號於1854年因被困於北極冰層中而被遺棄，後來由一艘美國捕鯨船發現並打撈回來。在修復後，這艘船於1856年被美國送回英國，作為一種友好姿態。
當這艘船於1879年退役時，維多利亞女王下令用其木材製作了這張桌子，於1880年送給美國總統盧瑟福·B·海斯（Rutherford B. Hayes）作為禮物。這張桌子展現了維多利亞時代的精緻工藝，並飾有雕刻板和精美的細節。
特點
這張桌子由橡木製成，尺寸為高32.5英吋、寬72英吋、深48英吋。最初的設計是開放的膝孔設計，但富蘭克林·D·羅斯福總統要求添加了一塊帶有總統印章的擋板，以隱藏他的腿部支架。
總統與堅定桌的故事
約翰·F·甘迺迪與桌子
這張桌子在約翰·F·甘迺迪總統任內成為經典，特別是一張由攝影師史丹利·特瑞克拍攝的著名照片，捕捉到小約翰·F·甘迺迪在桌子膝孔下探頭的場景。這張照片象徵了總統的家庭和親和形象。吉米·卡特的便利貼
吉米·卡特總統以在桌子上放置便利貼來組織他的工作而聞名，展示了他注重細節的治理方式。羅納德·雷根的幽默感
羅納德·雷根總統曾在會議中開玩笑說這張桌子很堅固：“如果我必須躲避媒體，我會躲在這裡。”這句話展現了他輕鬆幽默的領導風格。比爾·柯林頓的M&M巧克力
比爾·柯林頓總統經常在桌子上放一碟總統版M&M巧克力，並在會議期間用它來打破僵局，突顯了他的親和力。巴拉克·歐巴馬的現代科技
巴拉克·歐巴馬總統任內，堅定桌經常被拍到擺放筆記型電腦或智慧手機，這種傳統與現代的對比突顯了總統職位的演變。唐納德·特朗普與行政命令
唐納德·特朗普總統經常在這張桌子上簽署行政命令，形成了他的總統任期內象徵性的畫面，大量文件堆放在桌面上。喬·拜登的家庭照片
喬·拜登總統將桌子個性化，擺放了多張家人的照片，象徵了他對價值觀和親情的重視。
趣聞
- 不同的安放地點：這張桌子並非一直在橢圓形辦公室內，曾在白宮樓上的私人書房中使用，也曾被移至史密森學會展出一段時間。
- 伴侶桌：維多利亞女王用堅定號木材製作了三張桌子，另外兩張分別位於英國，其中一張在溫莎城堡中。
- 維護：多年來，這張桌子經過精心的保護和修復，以保持其結構和歷史完整性。
象徵意義
堅定桌象徵著國家間的合作與友誼。它的歷史體現了韌性、外交和美英兩國間的持久聯繫。其持續使用將過去的總統與現任者聯繫起來，成為美國民主制度延續性的象徵。
您是否希望深入了解某位總統與堅定桌之間的互動故事？
Prompt: Translate to English.
The Resolute Desk is one of the most famous pieces of furniture in the world, used by nearly every U.S. president in the Oval Office since it was introduced there in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. Its history is rich with symbolism, international diplomacy, and fascinating stories.
Origins of the Resolute Desk
The desk was made from the timbers of the British Arctic exploration ship HMS Resolute, which was abandoned in the Arctic ice in 1854 and later recovered by an American whaling ship. After being salvaged and refitted, the ship was returned to Britain as a gesture of goodwill by the United States in 1856.
When the ship was retired in 1879, Queen Victoria commissioned the desk as a gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880. The craftsmanship reflects Victorian elegance, and the desk is adorned with carved panels and intricate details.
Features
The desk is made of oak and measures 32.5 inches tall, 72 inches wide, and 48 inches deep. It originally featured an open knee-hole design, but President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a modesty panel with the Presidential Seal added to conceal his leg braces.
Presidential Use and Stories
John F. Kennedy and the Desk
The desk became iconic during John F. Kennedy’s presidency, especially after a famous photograph taken by Stanley Tretick captured young John F. Kennedy Jr. peeking out from the knee-hole while his father worked. This image symbolized the familial and relatable side of the presidency.Jimmy Carter’s Post-It Notes
President Jimmy Carter was known for placing sticky notes on the desk to help organize his tasks, illustrating his detail-oriented approach to governance.Ronald Reagan’s Humor
Ronald Reagan once joked about the desk’s sturdiness during a meeting, saying, “If I ever have to hide from the press, this is where I’ll be.” The remark highlighted his light-hearted leadership style.Bill Clinton’s M&M Candy Trick
Bill Clinton often kept a dish of Presidential M&Ms on the desk. He was known to offer them to visitors during meetings as an icebreaker, emphasizing his personable demeanor.Barack Obama’s Use of Modern Tech
During Barack Obama’s presidency, the Resolute Desk was often photographed with modern technology like a laptop or smartphone on its surface. This juxtaposition of the old and new underscored the evolving nature of the presidency.Donald Trump and Executive Orders
Donald Trump often used the desk for signing executive orders, creating iconic images of his presidency with large stacks of documents prominently displayed.Joe Biden’s Family Pictures
Joe Biden has personalized the desk with photographs of his family, symbolizing his commitment to values and kinship.
Fun Facts
- Alternate Locations: The desk was not always in the Oval Office. It was used in the private study upstairs in the White House by several presidents and was even removed from the White House entirely for display at the Smithsonian Institution for a time.
- Companion Desks: Queen Victoria commissioned three desks from HMS Resolute timbers. The other two are in Britain, with one at Windsor Castle.
- Preservation: The desk has been carefully preserved and restored over the years to maintain its structural and historical integrity.
Symbolism
The Resolute Desk represents collaboration and goodwill between nations. Its history underscores themes of resilience, diplomacy, and the enduring connection between the United States and the United Kingdom. Its continued use connects past presidents to current ones, making it a symbol of continuity in American democracy.
Would you like to explore a specific president’s interaction with the Resolute Desk further?