National Tartan Day is on Tuesday, April 6, 2027, and it falls on April 6 every year. It honors the contributions of Scottish Americans to the United States. The date marks the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland’s famous statement of independence, in 1320.
When Is National Tartan Day?
It’s always April 6. It isn’t a federal holiday, but it has been recognized by the U.S. Senate and in presidential proclamations. New York and other cities often hold events across a “Tartan Week” around the date.
How Did National Tartan Day Start?
The U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 155 on March 20, 1998, designating April 6 as National Tartan Day. Senator Trent Lott sponsored it.
The resolution states that the Declaration of Arbroath was signed on April 6, 1320. It also claims the American Declaration of Independence was modeled on it, and that nearly half the signers of the American document had Scottish ancestry. Those are the resolution’s own claims; historians still debate how direct the link is.
President George W. Bush proclaimed National Tartan Day on April 4, 2008. The proclamation called the Arbroath document “the Scottish Declaration of Independence” and noted that “several of our Founding Fathers were of Scottish descent.”
What Is the Purpose of Tartan Day?
To recognize what Scottish immigrants and their descendants have given the country. The 2008 proclamation pointed to philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, to bagpipe music and golf, and to Scottish Americans who served in the armed forces.
Tartan, the checked woolen cloth tied to Scottish clans and regions, is the day’s symbol. Wearing a family or regional tartan is the most visible way to take part.
The day also connects people to a long story of migration. Scottish settlers, traders and soldiers came to America from the colonial era on, and many towns, churches and colleges still carry Scottish names.
How is it different from St. Andrew’s Day?
St. Andrew’s Day, on November 30, is Scotland’s national day at home. Tartan Day is mainly a North American celebration of Scottish heritage abroad, tied to the Arbroath date rather than a saint’s feast.
How to Celebrate National Tartan Day
- Wear tartan: a scarf, tie or kilt in your family’s tartan, or any plaid you love.
- Look up your clan: search your surname in a Scottish tartan register to find an associated pattern.
- Cook a Scottish meal: try Scotch broth, cock-a-leekie soup or shortbread.
- Listen to the pipes: find a local pipe band performance or Highland games.
- Read the Declaration of Arbroath: it’s short, and its line about fighting for freedom is still widely quoted.
- Visit a Scottish society: many cities have a St. Andrew’s Society that hosts Tartan Day events.
The New York Tartan Day Parade
New York City’s Tartan Day Parade began in 1999, with actor Cliff Robertson as the first grand marshal. In 2025, the 27th parade marched up Sixth Avenue from 45th to 55th Street. Actor Alan Cumming served as grand marshal, and pipe bands came from as far as Scotland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Declaration of Arbroath?
A 1320 letter from Scotland’s nobles to the pope, written at Arbroath Abbey. It asserted Scotland’s independence after Robert the Bruce’s 1314 victory at Bannockburn.
Is Tartan Day celebrated in Canada?
Yes. On October 21, 2010, the Government of Canada announced that April 6 would be formally recognized as Tartan Day. The Maple Leaf tartan later became an official national symbol.
Do you need Scottish ancestry to celebrate?
No. Anyone can wear tartan, enjoy Scottish food or attend a parade. Many events welcome everyone with an interest in Scottish culture.
Sources
- National Capital Tartan Day Committee – Senate Resolution 155 (1998)
- George W. Bush White House Archives – National Tartan Day, 2008 (proclamation)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica – Declaration of Arbroath
- Government of Canada – Maple Leaf Tartan made an official symbol of Canada (2011)
- West Side Spirit – Tartan Day Parade 2025