National Tartan Day

National Tartan Day is an annual Canadian holiday celebrating Scottish heritage. It is also celebrated in the United States. The main symbol of the holiday is the Scottish checkered fabric known as Tartan, which is famously used to make Scottish kilts. The holiday is observed on April 6.

History

The celebration of National Tartan Day began in 1998 and gradually spread across Canada and many states in the United States. The holiday commemorates an event that took place on this day in 1320, when the Declaration of Arbroath was signed, securing the foundations of Scottish independence. This document allowed Scotland to make its own political decisions and form its own army to defend the state in case of enemy attack.

The holiday received official status in Canada in 2004, at the initiative of the Canadian authorities. In the United States, the significance of the holiday lies in the fact that the famous Declaration of Independence was influenced by the Scottish Declaration of Arbroath from 1320.

Interesting Facts

• The largest Scottish diaspora in a non-English-speaking country is in Argentina, with about 100,000 Scots.
• Many of the people who contributed to the creation of the U.S. Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent.
• Scottish tartan is popular for use in plaids, coats, scarves, and shirts.

How to Celebrate

Take part in festivities celebrating Scottish culture. Enjoy traditional music, purchase a Scottish kilt, and learn to play folk instruments. Learn more about Scottish traditions online or by interacting with cultural representatives in real life.

Share information about the holiday on social media. Ask others what interesting facts they know about Scottish culture.

When is National Tartan Day in 2025?

National Tartan Day is observed on April 6 each year.

Observations