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National Tartan Day 2024 in the United States

National Tartan Day is a US observance on April 6 each year. It commemorates the Scottish Declaration of Independence, from which the American Declaration of Independence was modeled on. It also recognizes achievements of Americans of Scottish descent.

Is National Tartan Day a Public Holiday?

Even though National Tartan Day falls on Saturday, April 6, 2024, it is a working day. Most businesses follow regular opening hours in United States.

Bagpipe players at a National Tartan Day parade in New York.

©iStockphoto.com/JayLazarin

What Do People Do?

National Tartan Day parades occur in major cities such as New York on or around April 6. These parades often feature bag-pipe bands playing Scottish music and people dressed in kilts with tartan patterns that represent their Scottish clans. Events and awards on Tartan Day and in the days after are often organized by groups such as the American Scottish Foundation and the National Tartan Day New York Committee.

Background

The Scottish Declaration of Independence was signed on April 6, 1320. The American Declaration of Independence was, in fact, modeled on this particular document. Almost half of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent.

The US Senate Resolution on National Tartan Day was passed on March 20, 1998. From that point onward, National Tartan Day was designated as a day for all Americans, particularly those of Scottish descent, on April 6 each year.

Symbols

Tartan clothing is often worn by Scottish Americans taking part in National Tartan Day.

National Tartan Day Observances

YearWeekdayDateNameHoliday Type
2019SatApr 6National Tartan DayObservance
2020MonApr 6National Tartan DayObservance
2021TueApr 6National Tartan DayObservance
2022WedApr 6National Tartan DayObservance
2023ThuApr 6National Tartan DayObservance
2024SatApr 6National Tartan DayObservance
2025SunApr 6National Tartan DayObservance
2026MonApr 6National Tartan DayObservance
2027TueApr 6National Tartan DayObservance
2028ThuApr 6National Tartan DayObservance
2029FriApr 6National Tartan DayObservance

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.