The Association of Scottish Games and Festivals

Since the United States Congress gave all Americans an official Tartan Day on April 6th. of each year, it behooves those of us with a drop or two of Scottish blood to take full advantage of the opportunity to share our cultural heritage in a positive manner with our local communities. And, perhaps, give a bit of publicity to the fact that we are also promoting Highland Games and Festivals somewhere along the line.

Many individual states had Tartan Days on their own calendars. But an effort was put forth to get a National one adopted, and April 6th was choosen because it is the anniversary of the declaration of Scottish Independence at Abroath Abbey in 1320. A line from that document is often quoted and has great appeal to the American psyche: "For we fight not for glory, no riches, no honours, but for freedom alone, which no good man gives up except with his life."

It was hoped that the adoption of a National Tartan Day would promote observances that would commemorate all the best in Scottish history and culture and highlight the great contributions that Scots and Scots-Americans have made to the history and development of the United States. The organizations referred to as the Scottish Coalition were especially instrumental in successfully promoting this effort. They stand ready to assist local organizations in obtaining information to use in promoting and observing Tartan Day each year on April 6th.

For the year 2008, Tartan Day, April 6 falls on a Sunday.