Tartan Day
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Overview
Tartan Day, observed annually on April 6th, is a celebration of Scottish heritage and culture, primarily in North America. It commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, a significant document asserting Scotland's independence. On this day, people of Scottish descent, and those who appreciate Scottish culture, wear tartan, attend parades, and participate in various events to honor their ancestry and traditions.
Origin and story
The date, April 6th, commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, a letter to Pope John XXII asserting Scotland's independence.
Tartan Day originated in Canada in the mid-1980s, with Nova Scotia being the first jurisdiction to officially recognize it in 1987.
Quick facts
- DateApril 6
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
The document behind this date was a diplomatic gamble, not just a patriotic statement. In 1320, dozens of Scottish nobles sealed a letter to the Pope — now known as the Declaration of Arbroath — asking him to recognize Robert the Bruce as Scotland's rightful king and lift Bruce's excommunication, after years of war with England over Scottish independence. The fragile 700-year-old original still survives today, cared for by the National Records of Scotland.
Wear your own tartan
- Look up whether a clan tartan is associated with your family name, or simply wear any plaid that appeals to you as a nod to the tradition.
Read about the actual document
Helpful resources: National Records of Scotland covers the Declaration's history and preservation on its Declaration of Arbroath page.
Trace its wider legacy
- Look into the debated but often-repeated claim that the Declaration's language influenced the American Declaration of Independence centuries later.
Did you know?
The Declaration was placed on UNESCO's UK Memory of the World Register in 2016, and because it's so fragile, the original manuscript is only put on public display occasionally to help preserve it for future generations.
Fun facts
- The date, April 6th, commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, a letter to Pope John XXII asserting Scotland's independence.
- Tartan Day originated in Canada in the mid-1980s, with Nova Scotia being the first jurisdiction to officially recognize it in 1987.
- In the United States, National Tartan Day was officially recognized by a Senate resolution in 1998, encouraging Americans of Scottish descent to celebrate their heritage.
Sources and attribution
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is Tartan Day?
- It is observed on April 6 each year.
- What is Tartan Day?
- Tartan Day, observed annually on April 6th, is a celebration of Scottish heritage and culture, primarily in North America. It commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, a significant document asserting Scotland's independence. On this day, people of Scottish descent, and those who appreciate Scottish culture, wear tartan, attend parades, and participate in various events to honor their ancestry and traditions.
- How do people celebrate Tartan Day?
- Wear a clan or family tartan, and read up on the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish nobles' letter to the Pope asking him to recognize Robert the Bruce as king.
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