CLAN HENDERSON SOCIETY
SOLA VIRTUS NOBILITAT
TARTAN DAY APRIL 6
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to drop in and give you all a 'Sneak Peek' of the video I put together for Tartan Day coming up on April 6th.
I felt it was something really important that I needed to do. With everything starting to be cancelled again this year, I really wanted to promote my culture and heritage in celebration of National Tartan Day.
I have such a deep love for my Scottish roots, so grateful for all the education and fun that it has brought into my life. I know without the hardships and trials through our Scottish history that we would not be where we are today. As hard as it has been to not be able to travel and compete, I equally know that it wont be forever.
I challenge myself to stay positive and think of new ways to help permote our history and culture. I hope you will enjoy and share my video with others.
Youtube Link:
Happy Tartan Day!
Audrey N. Trawick
In 1998 the US senate first declared National Tartan Day to recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States. In the lead up to the announcement the Senate realised that almost half of the signatures on the United States Declaration of Independence had Scottish descent. A decade later in 2008, President George W. Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation making April 6 National Tartan Day.
WHAT HAPPENED ON APRIL 6, 1320?
The 6th of April was chosen as this is the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320. The declaration announced Scotland's independence from England and it's said that this inspired the United States Declaration of Independence many years later.
National Tartan Day is celebrated not only in the US, but also in Canada, Scotland and even Argentina. Australia and New Zealand do also celebrate an International Tartan Day but they actually celebrate this on the 1st July. This is another important date in Scottish history as the anniversary of the Repeal Proclamation of 1782 which abolished the Act of Proscription of 1747. The Act of Proscription declared wearing kilts and tartan a punishable offence and if caught Scots could face up to seven years of transportation.
There are many Tartan Day celebrations throughout the United States, but New York certainly leads the way, not only holding an annual Tartan Day Parade, but a full week of celebratory events. The first parade was set up in 1999 by two pipe bands along side a small but enthusiastic group of Scottish Americans. Led by their Grand Marshal, Academy Award-winning Actor Cliff Robertson the group marched from the British Consulate to the United Nations Headquarters.
Following on from the first parade, the event has continued to grown and now includes hundreds of pipers as well as thousands of marchers and spectators. With so many activities surrounding the parade The National Tartan Day New York Committee was formed in 2002 to organise the parade and the now week long list of fabulous Scottish themed events.
Grand Marshals
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1999 - Cliff Robertson (Academy Award-winning Actor)
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2002 - Sir Sean Connery (Academy Award-winning Actor)
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2005 - Randall Wallace (Academy Award-nominated Screenwriter of “Braveheart”)
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2006 - Brigadier Melville Jameson (Producer, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo)
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2007 - Rt.Hon. George Reid (Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament)
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2008 - Lawrence Tynes (American Footballer from the New York Giants)
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2009 - Alan Cumming, OBE (Tony Award-winning Actor)
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2010 - Rt. Hon. Sir Alex Fergusson (Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament)
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2011 - Rt. Hon. Bob Winter (Lord Provost of Glasgow)
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2012 - Brian Cox, CBE (Actor)
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2013 - Kevin McKidd (Actor and Director)
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2014 - Howie Nicholsby (Kilt Designer)
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2015 - Graham McTavish (Actor) & Tricia Marwick (Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament)
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2016 - Sam Heughan (Actor)
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2017 - Tommy Flanagan (Actor)
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2018 - KT Tunstall (Musician)
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LOOK FOR TARTAN DAY CELEBRATIONS IN YOUR STATE!