An Oasis

Tartan Day

"Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate designates April 6 of each year as 'National Tartan Day.'" So "National Tartan Day" was recognised by the U.S. Senate and is immortalised in the congressional record of March 20th 1998. Why the 6th of April? That was the day that the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320.

"... for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom -- for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself..."

Amidst the media war blitz I'm not sure how many people are aware of the festivities, other than those within a couple of hundred miles of NYC who will undoubtedly hear the 'tunes of glory' parade and its 2000 bagpipers... Rather them than me.

I don't think it is a very big thing, nothing like St. Patrick's Day, but perhaps from a late start it'll blossom. I don't think we in Scotland even get a public holiday for St. Andrew's Day and are more likely to celebrate Burns Night (after Robert Burns).

Anyway, Happy Tartan Day to you. Who knew?

Posted by Paul at April 6, 2003 05:25 AM |