National Tartan Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Tartan Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Tartan Day is observed on April 6th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Tartan Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you may want to know about National Tartan Day.

📅 What day is National Tartan Day 2024?

In 2024, National Tartan Day is on Thursday, April 6th. It is the 1st Thursday in April; in 2024, it is Saturday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all intriguing details and facts about April 6, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

National Tartan Day is a yearly event that takes place on April 6th. It commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, also known as the Scottish Declaration of Independence, in 1320. This day holds great importance because the Declaration of Arbroath served as a model for the American Declaration of Independence. Additionally, a significant number of the Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence, as well as a considerable portion of the newly appointed governors of the United States, were of Scottish descent.

📜 National Tartan Day History

After Tartan Day was established in Canada in 1998, the Coalition of Scottish Americans in the United States successfully advocated for April 6 to be recognized as National Tartan Day. This special day aims to honor the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of Scottish Americans to the United States. Over time, Tartan Day has gained popularity worldwide, particularly in Canada, the United States, Australia, and even Argentina, which has a significant population of Scottish descendants. Interestingly, Argentina has the largest group of Scottish descendants in a non-English-speaking country, with approximately 100,000 individuals. Scotland itself officially recognized Tartan Day as a national holiday in 2004, more than two decades after its inception in Canada. The name “Tartan Day” derives from the traditional woolen cloth, adorned with squares and intersecting lines, which was historically worn by Scottish clan members. In contemporary terms, this cloth is commonly referred to as plaid.

✅ National Tartan Day Facts

🔖 The New Year’s Eve song is Scottish
“Auld Lang Syne,” the popular tune that people commonly sing as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, was originally a Scottish folk song crafted by the renowned poet Robert Burns from Scotland.

🔖 The origin of bagpipes
The true origins of bagpipes can be traced back to ancient Egypt and the Middle East, rather than Scotland.

🔖 The tartan is unique to every clan and country
Canada has its own tartan known as the Maple Leaf tartan, which is characterized by its distinct patterns and colors.

👍 Why Is National Tartan Day Important

It’s crucial for people to remember where they originated from, especially in today’s global world. And in nations such as the United States and Australia, the Scottish played a significant part in establishing their freedom, and a major number of their people are descended from Scotland.

Bagpipes, kilts, haggis, and Scottish Highland dance are all things that you would not encounter on a regular basis if you don’t live in Scotland. So it’s a terrific way to spend a day learning about Scottish customs.

You don’t have to be Scottish or have Scottish ancestry to enjoy the celebrations. Tartan Day is open to anyone interested in Scottish traditions and learning more about the country.

🙂 How To Observe National Tartan Day

⚡ Tuck into a traditional Scottish dish
Haggis and black pudding are unique and traditional Scottish foods. Haggis is prepared by cooking sheep lungs, heart, and liver along with suet, oats, and salt inside a sack. Despite its unusual ingredients, it actually tastes much better than it sounds! On the other hand, black pudding is a pork sausage that includes dried pig’s blood, suet, and oats.

⚡ Attend a parade
Every year on April 6th, numerous major cities across the country host parades. These lively processions transport you to the Scottish Highlands, as participants don kilts in various colors and patterns and merry bands play bagpipes and drums.

⚡ Don your kilt and sporran
If you don’t already have one, consider getting a traditional Scottish kilt. It’s a rare opportunity to wear one, and even if you feel silly, remember that everyone else will be doing it too. In fact, not wearing a kilt may make you feel left out. Another important item for a true Scotsman is the sporran, which is a Gaelic term for a purse. It serves as a beautiful traditional bag and also provides a safe place to keep your phone and money since kilts usually don’t have pockets.

📅 When is National Tartan Day?

View all 🔗 April holidays, including 🔗 Cultural and other 🔗 Appreciation holidays.

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