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Scotland Week 2008
30/03/2008
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the US Senate's Tartan Day Resolution, which honours the many shared connections between Scotland and America.
In marking Tartan Day on April 6, the Senate pay recognition to the Declaration of Arbroath - which was signed on that date in 1320 - and its connection with the American Declaration of Independence.
Ahead of flying out today for this year's expanded Scotland Week programme in the US which has been built around the annual North American Tartan Day celebrations, First Minister Alex Salmond was given a rare opportunity to view the original Declaration of Arbroath document at a secure National Archives of Scotland facility in Edinburgh.
Mr Salmond said:
"There are many scholars who have argued that Jefferson's eighteenth century Declaration of Independence was in part inspired by this historic document - Scotland's Declaration of Arbroath, signed on April 6, 1320.
"It is true that Scots wrote of the importance of life and liberty all those centuries ago, and in this year of the 10th anniversary of the Senate's Tartan Day Resolution, I can think of no better place to visit than the Virginia home of Jefferson himself. Jefferson's ability to articulate the principles of liberty, the sovereignty of the individual, the equality of men and restraint of executive power helped define a new era.
"In 1776 it may have been a revolutionary idea to say that people had a right to determine how they were governed. Over two hundred years later, we are absolutely certain that it is the people who still have the right to chart the course for their country - and that is exactly the choice we are discussing in Scotland's National Conversation.
"Getting the opportunity to view the Declaration of Arbroath - one of the most, if not the most, famous documents in Scotland's history - will ensure I travel to America with the strongest possible sense of the positive ties that bind our two countries.
"The Scotland Week programme for 2008 will showcase Scotland's academic reputation, our business expertise and our cultural success on the world stage.
"The Tartan Day focal point, now well established in the American - and Canadian - calendar, offers a tremendous chance for people throughout North America to celebrate their affinity with Scotland, something we are delighted to play a part in supporting.
"I am looking forward to playing my part in an expanded programme for Scotland Week across in seven cities in North America which will build on our historic shared ties and highlight Scotland as a dynamic market with great investment potential, showcase Scotland's outstanding academic reputation and global cultural success."
In 1987, the legislature of Nova Scotia - followed by other Canadian provinces - proclaimed that Tartan Day should coincide with the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. In 1998, the United States Senate issued a Tartan Day resolution commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath and the contribution of Scots-Americans.
The Senate's Tartan Day Resolution:
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 modelled 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 pre-eminence 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".
Details of the First Minister's programme include:
- The official opening of the new Scottish Development International Office and Business Reception in Boston
- Delivery of a speech - "Free to Prosper - Creating the Celtic Lion Economy" at Harvard University
- Visit to Monticello in Charlottesville - home of Thomas Jefferson
- Delivery of a speech - "Scotland and America: Lessons from the Land of Jefferson" at Virginia University
- Meeting with Scottish Development International-sponsored mission from Scottish higher education institutions
- Meeting with the President of Inter American Development Bank
- Delivery of a speech - "Renewable Energy: Innovations that Can Save Our Planet" to the National Geographic Society in Washington DC
- Attending Tartan Day Reception at Capitol Hill before hosting Tartan Day Congressional Dinner at the Library of Congress
- Attending Scottish Development International/Visit Scotland Business First Reception in New York
- Participating in life sciences roundtable in New York
- The Tartan Day Parade