About San Diego Tartan Day
There’s a wee bit o’ Scot in everyone!
Since
1998, April 6 has been designated by the U.S. Senate as "Tartan
Day" in recognition of the contribution made by generations of
Scots-Americans to the foundation and prosperity of modern America. April
6, 1320 was the date of the Declaration of
Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of
Independence that has served as a model for many other declarations, includin
Many of the Founding Fathers had Scottish roots, and
the authors of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and
the U.S. Bill of Rights were clearly influenced by early Scottish documents.
Even the U.S. Navy can trace its roots back to Scotland -- John Paul
Jones, born at Arbigland, Kirkbean, Kirkcudbright, Scotland, on July 6, 1747,
was the father of the U.S. Navy.
In 2003, President George W. Bush gave his personal
backing to the Tartan Day celebrations, saying that Scots have played a major
role in shaping our country and continue to strengthen it. He praised the
event, saying it would help people appreciate their roots.
Major celebrations are held in many U.S. communities, the largest of them
in Washington D.C. and New York City. A good overview of Tartan Day can be
found at http://www.tartanday.com/
In 2004, a coalition of San Diego's major Scottish organizations
staged the area's first Tartan Day celebration for the San Diego
community. The tradition continues to this day, including:
- A mini-festival at the International Cottages, Balboa Park on Saturday, April 5, 2008
- An open house at the House of Scotland, Balboa Park, on Tartan Day, Sunday, April 6, 2008
- A ceremony on Tartan Day, Thursday, April 6 -- details to come!
Look forward to celebrating with you again in 2006!
Learn
more about the San Diego Tartan Day Steering Committee.
Get information about the 2006 Celebration!