Regardless of where your family’s history started, it’s important to celebrate cultural heritage. The East Bay Scottish Association is dedicated to celebrating the full, rich culture of Scotland through interactive events such as the Tartan Day Scottish Faire.

Tartan Day, as we currently celebrate it every April 6th , started in New York City in 1982 as a celebration of contributions by Scottish Americans to the United States throughout its history. This marks the date a declaration of Scottish independence against Edward I’s English rule, known the Declaration of Arbroath, was signed in 1320 and submitted to Pope John XXII. The declaration intended to confirm Scotland's status as an independent, sovereign state, defending Scotland's right to use military action when unjustly attacked. Over the next 300 years, thousands of Scots fled their home for a better future in the Americas.

One passage in particular is often quoted from the Fergusson translation of the declaration: “...for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself. ” Many of the founding fathers were of Scottish descent and used their cultural heritage to shape the foundation of a new country. At least twenty three American presidents have some Scottish or Scots-Irish ancestry. In the United States, there are millions who claim Scottish descent.

It’s this rich heritage we share and celebrate with our community on Tartan Day.