Clan Forbes Society
National Tartan Day
Click image to download orginal photo or document
1996
Three-page letter dated November 25, 1996, from Mississippi native JoAnne R. Phipps to Senator Trent Lott first requesting his assistance in introducing legislation to enact April 6, 1997, as the first Tartan Day in the United States. Ms. Philpps represented the Washington DC-based Clans of Scotland USA at the Scottish Coalition meeting that year in Sarasota, Florida. The letter was sent on behalf of 13 organizations plus Scottish Life Magazine and Highlander Magazine.
1997
First Congressional Reception in the Capitol, hosted by Patricia Ganson-Schaefer of the DC-based organization Clans of Scotland USA. With her is Robert Carey, then Senior Legislative Assistant for Senator Spencer Abraham and later Director, Military and Veterans Engagement for the Republican National Committee (2014 - 2017.) First legislative act was for 1997 only.
1998
Copy of he original 105th Congress Senate Resolution 155 passed on March 20, 1998, designating April 6 of every year as "National Tartan Day." This is attested by Senate secretary Gary Sisco. He was chosen to for his five year term in October 1996 by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. Original act is preserved in the archives of the University of William and Mary. Below is a group photograph of the reception participants on the steps of the US Capital with a framed copy of the Senate Resolution.
1999
British Sunday Mail (April 11, 1999) coverage of the National Tartan Day event at the U.S. Capital. Participants included MSP George Red (later Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament from 2003 to 2007), Struan Stevenson, Conservative Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Scotland from 1999 to 2014; and Stuart Mackintosh, a financial analyst and adviser who represented the Labour Party. Event included a proclamation from President Bill Clinton, also proclaiming April 6 as National Tartan Day.
2000
2000 National Tartan Day Capitol Ceremony Program in which the American-Scottish Foundation awarded the Wallace Award for his role in sponsoring and passing 1998 Senate Resolution reecognizing every April 6 as National Tartan Day. Speakers included the Hon. George Reid, Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament; Duncan Bruce, Author of Mark of the Scots; His Excellency Sir Christopher Meyer, The British Ambassador; and Rt. Rev. John Cairns, The Moderator of the General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
2000 National Tartan Day Flyer for the Living Legacy of Scotland Symposium on "The Scottish Influence in the Development of America" at the Smithsonian Institute on April 7, 2000.
Coverage of the 2000 National Tartan Day events in the Scottish Banner, including photos of Hon. George Reid, MSP; Duncan Hamilton, MSP; US Sen. Trent Lott; His Excellency Sir Christopher Meyer, The British Ambassador; and author Duncan Bruce.
2001
2001 Reproduction of Senate Resolution 155 passed on March 20, 1998, designating April 6 of every year as "National Tartan Day." Reproduction is "signed" by Senator Trent Lott, Senate Majority Leader, and Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, then Senate Chaplain and President, St. Andrew's Society of Washington, D.C.
Promotional brochure for Tartan Day Festival held on the National Mall on April 7, 2001. Event was produced by Bart Forbes for the St. Andrew's Society of Washington, D.C. and funded in part by the Scottish Tourist Board.
