Tartan Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tartan Day |
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The Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery with members of the USAF Reserve Pipes and Drums, at the 2004 Tartan Day celebrations in Washington, DC. Connery wore a kilt made with the hunting tartan of his mother's Clan Maclean.
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| Observed by | Scottish diaspora |
| Celebrations | Parades of pipe bands, Highland dance, and other Scottish-themed events. |
| Date |
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| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 1987 |
| Started by | Scottish Canadians |
Tartan Day is a special day that celebrates Scottish heritage and the amazing things Scottish people have done throughout history. The name "Tartan Day" comes from tartan, which is a colorful patterned fabric. It's very famous and connected to Scotland. This celebration first started in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1987. Over time, it grew and spread to other places where Scottish people live around the world, and even to Scotland itself.
In Canada, the United States, and Argentina, Tartan Day is usually held on April 6. This date is important because it's when Scotland's Declaration of Arbroath was signed way back in 1320. In Australia and New Zealand, International Tartan Day is celebrated on July 1. This date marks when a law that banned men from wearing traditional Scottish clothing (called Highland dress) was finally removed.
During Tartan Day, people often enjoy parades with pipe bands playing music. There are also Highland dancing performances and many other fun activities that celebrate Scottish culture. Sometimes, the celebration lasts for a whole "Tartan Week," like in New York City.
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What is Tartan Day and Why Do We Celebrate It?
Tartan Day is a holiday that honors Scottish history and culture. It's a chance for people of Scottish background, and anyone who loves Scotland, to celebrate. The holiday is named after tartan, a unique woven fabric pattern. Each pattern often represents a different Scottish clan or family.
When Did Tartan Day Begin?
The idea for Tartan Day started in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1986. The first event was held on April 6, 1987. This date was chosen because it's the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. This important document was signed in 1320 and declared Scotland's independence.
In Australia, people started wearing tartan on July 1 in 1989. This date is special because it marks the end of a law that made it illegal for Scottish men to wear their traditional Highland clothing.
The United States first celebrated an unofficial Tartan Day on April 6, 1997. It became an official national day in 2008, after being approved by the US Senate and House of Representatives. Other countries have also started their own Tartan Day celebrations, inspired by these events.
How Do Countries Celebrate Tartan Day?
Many countries around the world celebrate Tartan Day. Each place adds its own special touch to the festivities.
Argentina's Scottish Celebrations
About 100,000 people in Argentina have Scottish family roots. They have the biggest Scottish community outside of English-speaking countries. Every year on April 6, they hold a Tartan Day parade in Buenos Aires. They even carry a symbolic key from Arbroath Abbey to remember the historic date.
Australia's International Tartan Day
Millions of Australians have Scottish heritage. They celebrate International Tartan Day on July 1. This day remembers when the law banning Highland dress was removed. Many Scottish people who moved to Australia tried to fit in and sometimes lost touch with their roots. Tartan Day helps them reconnect with their Scottish past.
Many Australian states and even the country itself have their own unique tartans. On July 1, over half a million Australians celebrate. They wear tartan hats, ties, and socks. They also enjoy pipe band music and raise money for good causes. If someone doesn't have a family tartan, they can wear the royal Stewart tartan.
Canada's National Tartan Day
About 4.7 million Canadians have Scottish ancestors. Canada's Tartan Day began in Nova Scotia in 1987. Over time, all Canadian provinces started celebrating it. In 2010, Canada officially declared April 6 as National Tartan Day.
In Ottawa, Canada's capital, a "Gathering of the Clans" happens every year. It features pipes, drums, and dancing on Parliament Hill. Canada even has its own official tartan, called the Maple Leaf tartan. It was designed in 1964 and became a national symbol in 2011.
France's Celtic Tartan Day
France has also celebrated Tartan Day, sometimes called "Day of the Kilt". These events have included parades, music, Highland games, and kilt fashion shows. They often celebrate both Scottish and Breton culture, showing the links between these two Celtic regions.
New Zealand's Tartan Day
Many people in New Zealand also have Scottish family connections. They unofficially celebrate International Tartan Day on July 1 each year, starting in 2008.
Scotland's Tartan Day Festivals
Even in Scotland, Tartan Day is celebrated! The region of Angus, which includes Arbroath, started its first Tartan Day festival on April 6, 2004. Like New York, Angus now has a full Tartan Week. This week includes art shows, farmers' markets, clan gatherings, golf, archery, storytelling, and traditional music and dance.
The city of Aberdeen also used to have a Tartan Day. Since 2016, it has become a charity walkathon called the Kiltwalk. This event has spread to other Scottish cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow.
United States' National Tartan Day
Around 25 million people in the US have Scottish roots. The first unofficial national Tartan Day in the US was on April 6, 1997. In 1998, the US Senate passed a resolution to make April 6 National Tartan Day. This was to recognize the great things Scottish Americans have done for the country. They even noted that the American Declaration of Independence was inspired by Scotland's Declaration of Arbroath.
In 2005, the US House of Representatives also approved the holiday. Finally, in 2008, President George W. Bush officially declared April 6 as US National Tartan Day every year.
New York City Tartan Week: A Big Celebration
The biggest Tartan Day event in the US is New York City Tartan Week. It started in 1999 with just a few pipe bands. By 2002, thousands of pipers and drummers marched through New York, led by Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery.
This event has grown into a whole Tartan Week. The main parade is held on the Saturday closest to April 6. Famous Scottish people often lead the parade. It includes pipe bands, clan societies, and Scottish-American groups.
Besides the parade, there are many other activities. These include music concerts, dance performances, and even a 10K run called the "Scotland Run." There are also art exhibits, displays of Scottish artifacts, and a fashion show called "Dressed to Kilt" where celebrities wear tartan.
Some people have said that Tartan Day could be even bigger. They think it doesn't get as much attention as other ethnic celebrations. However, many people still love it as a way to connect with Scottish culture.
How Scotland Promotes Its Culture Abroad
The Scottish Government and businesses use Tartan Day events to promote Scotland. They want to encourage tourism and business connections. The US is a very important country for Scotland's exports.
Scottish officials often take part in Tartan Day activities. For example, leaders from the Scottish Parliament have been grand marshals of the New York parade. The Scottish First Minister has also attended to promote Scotland. They talk about Scotland's culture, history, and economy.
The Scottish Government also supports Scottish artists and groups at these events. They have sponsored the "Scotland Run" in New York. In 2005, they even sent the Wallace Sword (a famous Scottish artifact) to New York for Tartan Week. This was the first time the sword had left Scotland in modern history!
Scottish businesses also use Tartan Day to promote their products. This includes tartan weavers, distilleries, and food companies like Walker's Shortbread. They want to show off Scottish goods to people around the world.
Images for kids
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The Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery with members of the USAF Reserve Pipes and Drums, at the 2004 Tartan Day celebrations in Washington, DC. Connery wore a kilt made with the hunting tartan of his mother's Clan Maclean.
