ALASKA TARTAN DAY
Americans of Scottish descent have played a vibrant and influential role in the development of the United States and the State of Alaska. From the framers of the Declaration of Independence to the first man on the moon, Scottish-Americans have contributed mightily to the fields of the arts, science, politics, law, and more. Today, over eleven million Americans claim Scottish and Scotch-Irish roots -- making them the eighth largest ethnic group in the United States. These are the people and accomplishments that are honored on
National Tartan Day, April 6th.
In 1996 Governor Parnell, then State Senator Parnell, sponsored and introduced the first bill for a one time resolution for
Tartan Day in Alaska. Every year since, April 6
th has been celebrated by Scottish, Scottish Americans, and Celtic peoples within Alaska as
Tartan Day. The Alaska Legislature has passed single year resolutions from 1996, through 2009. Numerous Gubernatorial Proclamations have also recognized and proclaimed April 6
th as
Tartan Day in Alaska. The US Congress (SR-155 in 1998, and HR-41 in 2005) and Presidential Proclamations have declared that EVERY April 6
th is to be recognized as
National Tartan Day.The national and state proclamations that have been issued in the past have encouraged all government officials, institutions and citizens nationwide to recognize and support and celebrate this National Day in its spirit, and its purpose.
Across the nation, cities are officially recognizing National Tartan Day with proclamations and celebrations. New York City has declared the entire week ‘Tartan Week’ and in 2010 and 2011 Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan issued proclamations declaring April 6th as "Tartan Day" in Anchorage.
We ask if you would please provide your support , and we invite you to join with us in celebration of National Tartan Day in Alaska at the following events:
National Tartan Day Celebration at Town Square
Friday, the 6th of April, 2012, 5:15 pm : 544 West 5th Avenue Anchorage, (between the Performing Arts center & 5th Ave Mall) A public reading of the text of the resolutions declaring every April 6th as National Tartan Day.
The Governor, our US Congressional Representatives, the Mayor, Alaska State and local representatives, and the public are being asked to provide their support and invited to join us by attending this celebration of our heritage and cultural diversity.
