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By Ralph L. Stevenson, Jr.,
KTJ
In the past several years a newly recognized cultural day has been
making inroads. This particular day's beginning is not current, as its
roots are from an event in Scotland on April 6, 1320. The event was the
signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, a precursor to our Declaration of
Independence, and, of course, demanding freedom from England. (The movie
"Braveheart" bases its story around this time).
Now in modern times, the
craving for independence has not stopped. In July 1999, Scotland after
300 years under British rule finally got back its own Parliament. But, in
this case it was not an overnight happening. It took much work and
decades of political maneuverings. One point that was to be brought to
light was the enormous amount of individuals of Scottish decent that had
made positive contributions. With North American support, Canadian
government recognized the Scottish influence in their country in 1991. In
March 1998, the United States Senate with the support of Senate Majority
Leader Trent Lott passed unanimously Senate Resolution 155 (S.Res.155).
This can be viewed at <
www.tartanday.gov.uk
>.
S. Res. 155
Whereas April 6 has a special significance for all Americans, and
especially those Americans of Scottish descent, because the Declaration of
Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, was signed on April 6,
1320 and the American Declaration of Independence was modeled on that
inspirational document;
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 Scottish
ancestry, Scottish Americans successfully helped shape this country in its
formative years and guide this Nation through its most troubled 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;
Whereas this resolution commends the more than 200 organizations
throughout the United States that honor Scottish heritage, tradition, and
culture, representing the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Scottish
descent, residing in every State, who already have made the observance of
Tartan Day on April 6 a success;
Whereas these numerous individuals, clans, societies, clubs, and fraternal
organizations do not let the great contributions of the Scottish people go
unnoticed:
Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate designates
April 6 of each year as "National Tartan Day."
TARTAN DAY - NOW
Celebrating Tartan Day is not really to over indulge on scotch and
watch Sean Connery movies, but to each their own. The one essential
connection that would help in celebrating would be to wear a tartan item
of clothing on April 6th, as in wearing green on St. Patrick's Day.
Another would be to look around and view some of the conveniences that
surround you. Outlined below are some of the Scots and Scottish Americans
you can credit
Sir James Dewar (1842-1923) born in Kincardine, Scotland; his interest was
low-temperature phenomena; first to produce hydrogen in a liquid form;
best known for his "Dewar's Flask" or as we know it - the Thermos (so,
that explains why many thermoses have a tartan pattern on the outside!!).
He also collaborated with Sir Frederick Abel to invent Cordite, smokeless
gunpowder.
John Kenneth Galbraith (1908- ) one of the world's most celebrated
economists wrote over four dozen books, the most famous, "The Affluent
Society" and "The New Industrial State"; his book, "Scotch" is not about
economics, but of his childhood and growing up in a Scottish community
Iona Station, Ontario.
Brig. Gen. "Billy" Mitchell (1879-1939) founder of American military air
power; was court-martialed for not compromising with higher staff that the
United States should take steps to protect the borders with aircraft not
mail runs; Dec. 7, 1941 proved him right; the Mitchell Bomber is named
after him;
David Douglas (1898-1934) born in Scone, Scotland; traveled the American
Pacific coastline; discovered over 150 varieties of plants and trees; his
name is given to the Douglas Fir and the Douglas Squirrel of northern
California.
Allan Pinkerton (1819-1884) born in Glasgow, Scotland; established the
first US detective agency in 1850; helped establish the federal secret
service.
John Paul Jones (1747-1792) Kirkcudbright, Scotland; considered the Father
of the American Navy; one of his most famous sea battles was the defeat of
the British Man-o-War, Serapis; he is entombed in the US Naval Academy
Chapel.
David Dunbar Buick of Arbroath, Scotland; his first invention was to
develop the process to enamel cast iron - sinks, bathtubs and such; his
business partner bought him out for $100,000. Buick took his money and
started designing and building automobiles which he sold for another
hundred thousand dollars to what is now General Motors.
Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) of Dunfermine, Scotland; as a youth worked for
$1.20 a week; invested in the Pullman Railroad Car; later in the steel
business accelerated production with the Bessemer process; in 1901 sold
his Carnegie Steel for $250 million; help contributed to building a
library in most states in the US and towns in Scotland and much, much
more.
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno; Late night TV host (Scottish mom, Italian
dad!)
Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) Edinburgh, Scotland; his work with what
we know as the telephone, started with him and his father's work with deaf
persons; after "Watson, come here, I want you" he later invented the
Photophone - transmitting speech with light rays, Audiometer - to measure
acuity in hearing, Induction Balance - to locate metal in human bodies,
Wax Recording Cylinder - the basis of the modern phonograph; with Glenn
Hammond Curtiss, they developed the Aileron and the Tricycle Landing Gear
for aircraft.
There are many more. John Ross, Chief of the Cherokees; John Dunlop,
inventor, pneumatic tire; Elvis Presley, entertainer; John Muir, nature
conservationist; .your grandparents!?
- Ralph L. Stevenson, Jr., historian, photographer and author, has
worked with local and national officials, as well as, Scottish Parliament
staff to promote Tartan Day with community and educational venues. He has
designed the State of New Mexico Tartan, produced jazz bagpiper, Rufus
Harley's CD, "Brotherly Love" and has re-created four Scottish influenced
military uniforms from different eras.
Seeking Tartan Day materials? Visit: Bally Dun Celtic Treasures at 4717-B
Menaul, Albuquerque, NM 87110 1-505-881-2232 |
