The year 2010 is the 690th anniversary of the signing on April 6, 1320 of the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, which includes these inspirational lines:  "It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom...for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

On March 20, 1998, the United States Senate designated April 6 of each year as National Tartan Day.  Senate Resolution 155 states in part the following, as it appeared in the Congressional Record.

"Whereas this resolution honors the major role that Scottish-Americans played in the founding of this Nation, such as the fact that almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent, the Governors in 9 of the original 13 States were of Scotish Ancestry, Scottish-Americans successfully helped shape this coutnry in its formative years and guide this Nation through its most troubledf times;

"Whereas this resolution recognizes the monumental achievements and invaluable contributions made by Scottish-Americans that have led to America's preeminence in the fields of science, technology, medicine, government, politics, economics, architecture, literature, media, and visual and performing arts.

"RESOLVED, That the Senate designates April 6 of each year as "National Tartan Day."

The Caledonian Foundation USA has played an important role in this observance. In 1996, the Foundation presented a Scottish Symposium in Sarasota, Florida, and invited the leaders of national organizations in the United States to participate and to explore ways that would be mutually beneficial in carrying out their mission. When the Second Scottish Symposium was presented in February 1997, it was agreed by the six organizations in attendance that this observance would provide an excellent venue to give visibility to Scottish heritage and the contributions that Scots and Scots-Americans have made to the history and development of the United States. It was then voted to have the first National Tartan Day on April 6, 1997. This is now considered the official date of the First Tartan Day Observance. Today there are Tartan Day Coordinators in approximately forty states, working with The Scottish Coalition USA -- as the Scottish-American organizations are now known. Celebrations take a variety of forms. Some feature backyard barbeques with friends and neighbors. Metropolitan areas present parades, pipe bands and prominent speakers. Governors issue Proclamations. For information on activities, send a request to Caledonian Foundation USA, POBOx 1242, Edgartown MA 02539.