Did you know April 6 is National Tartan Day? (from the National Day Calendar)On March 20, 1998, the United States Senate passed Resolution 155, designating April 6th of each year as National Tartan Day. The day recognizes Scottish Americans and their achievements and contributions to the United States. The House passed Resolution 41 on March 9, 2005, and George W. Bush signed the Presidential Proclamation on April 4, 2008. The following was apparently written in that time frame:
From its early beginnings, Americans with Scottish ancestry endeavored for freedom as much as any American. It was in their blood.
It was 400 years before the Scots declared, “For we fight not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, but for freedom alone which no good man give sup except for his life.” – from the Declaration of Arbroath
Surprisingly, of the 13 governors in the newly established United States, nine were Scots. There are 56 signatures on the Declaration of Independence. Some scholars suggest nearly a third of those signers were of Scottish descent.
Not only can we point to the country’s founding fathers, but of the 43 Presidents who have taken office, 33 have been of Scottish descent.
Those with Tartan blood were and are independent and resourceful. They are prolific inventors and writers. They are talented musicians and artists, experienced leaders, and scholars. In the United States today, over 11 million Americans claim Scottish or Scotch-Irish roots. That makes them the 8th largest ethnic group in the United States.
It's apparent PDG John Pennypacker is proud of his Scottish heritage. It's interesting to note National Tartan Day and John's birthday (April 10) fall within a week of each other.