Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Ah, Scotland, We Did Not Know Ye

Woodrow Wilson once said, "Every line of strength in American history is a line colored with Scottish blood."

Tartan Day, first declared by a 1998 resolution sponsored by Senator Trent Lott, celebrates its 10th anniversary on April 6. The day is meant to commemorate the singing on April 6, 1320, of the Declaration of Arbroath, frequently called the Scottish declaration of independence. It was a letter from supporters of Robert the Bruce to the Pope, seeking papal recognition of Scotland. According to Senator Lott's resolution, the Declaration of Arbroath was an influence on the signers of the American Declaration of Independence. It was a radical 14th Century document that introduced principles such as the king's responsibility to serve the people and the people's right to replace him should he become tyrannical.

Two signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, John Witherspoon and John Wilson, were Scots and other Founders had Scottish heritage. Many U.S. Presidents also had Scottish heritage, including Ronald W. Reagan; the "W" being for Wilson, an old Scottish name.


--Heritage Institute




April 6, Tartan Day

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Thanks for the educational value of this post Web. I wasn't aware of Sen. Lott's declaration. I haven't seen the movie "Rob Roy" yet, but may have to give it a look now that I've seen this bit of it!