- published: 09 Apr 2016
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Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish heritage on April 6, the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320. An ad hoc event was held in New York City in 1982, but the current format originated in Canada in the mid-1980s. It spread to other communities of the Scottish diaspora in the 1990s. In Australasia the similar International Tartan Day is held on July 1, the anniversary of the repeal of the 1747 Act of Proscription that banned the wearing of tartan.
Tartan Days typically have parades of pipe bands, Highland dancing and other Scottish-themed events.
In 1982, under the auspices of the New York Caledonian Club, New York State Governor Hugh Carey, and New York City Mayor Ed Koch declared July 1, 1982, as Tartan Day, a one-time celebration of the 200th anniversary of the repeal of the Act of Proscription of August 12, 1747, the law forbidding Scots to wear tartan.
On March 9, 1986, a 'Tartan Day' to promote Scottish heritage in Canada, was proposed at a meeting of the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia. Jean Watson, President of Clan Lamont, petitioned provincial legislatures to recognize April 6 as Tartan Day. The first such proclamation was by Nova Scotia in April 1987; other provinces followed suit until Quebec was the last to fall in line, in December 2003.
Tartan Day Parade with Sam Heughan
Tartan Day Parade celebrates Scotland in New York
The 2015 NYC Tartan Day Parade
NYC Tartan Day Parade 2014
Buenos Aires Celebra Escocia - Tartan Day - Tartan Day Parade
Tartan Day Speech
Tartan Day Parade in NYC 2015
Tartan Day Parade up 5th Avenue, New York 2015
TARTAN DAY TRIBUTE - ISLE OF SKYE & CULLODEN
Outlanders United at New York Tartan Day Parade 2015