Q: What holidays and occasions should I make
an extra effort to wear my kilt?
Q: My employer said I could wear
my kilt
once in a while, maybe once a
month or on
special occasions... what would
be good dates
to choose? |
Good questions. As Americans, it is important
we remember our heritage did not start just
230 years ago. Our heritage started many
thousands of years ago and unless you are
a full-blooded Native American or of strict
Asian decent, you likely trace your roots
back to Europe and the various tribes that
pre-dated the Romans; Slavs, Celts, Visigoths
and others. Keep in mind, it was not until
the 19th century that we first see the development
of the political ideology of "ethnic
nationalism" (when the concept of race
was tied to nationalism). A concept that
was first carried by German theorists (most
prominently Johann Gottfried von Herder).
Instances of societies focusing on ethnic
ties to the exclusion of genetics, history
or historical context arguably have resulted
in almost fanatical justification of nationalist
or imperialist goals, including the roots
of the dogma that lead to World War I and
World War II. Setting aside our own current "brand"
of ethnic nationalism we need to understand
that how we see ourselves is reflected in
how we perceive other cultures, nationalities
and citizens.
I'm as patriotic as the next
guy, but the
fact is, only 7% of all U.S.
citizens have
a passport! As a nation, we just
don't travel
abroad much. Unfortunately, as
a result,
we have a very narrow view of
the world. As Americans, we tend to see ourselves as
the center of the friggin' universe. This
is one thing that really pisses non-Americans
off. The fact is, we call ourselves Americans,
disregarding the fact that "The Americas"
encompass over 36 independent countries and
protectorates. Peruvians are Americans, El
Salvadorians, Canadians... all are Americans.
Say that in most U.S. locales and just listen
to people scoff! It all comes down to a bit
of self-superior arrogance we have adopted
over the years, being a "World Super
Power" and all.
That said, it is not coincidence that significant
portions of the U.S. Declaration of Independence were excerpted directly or obviously adapted
from Scotland's Declaration of Arbroath (Scotland, 1320) and that nearly ½ of the original signers
of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and
9 of the original 13 colonial state governors
were of Scottish ancestry. Much of this is
outlined in the Tartan Day Resolution, signed
by the U.S. Senate on March 20th, 1998.
| President Woodrow Wilson, the son of a Scots-Irish
Presbyterian minister, said: "Every line in America's
history is a line colored
by Scottish blood." |
That statement by President Wilson really
sums it up. The United States of America
would simply not exist as a country if it
were not for the passions, labor and sacrifices
of OUR Scottish forbearers. Scotland had
significant representation in what we now
consider to have been the "English Colonies
in America." The New Jersey and Stuart's
Town (in what is now South Carolina) Settlements
and an ambitious Panamanian settlement plan
were all heavily influenced and supported
by the Kingdom of Scotland in the 1600's.
Keep in mind, from 1689 to 1702, King Billy (a Dutch aristocrat, AKA: William III of
England or William of Orange, a Protestant)
was the reigning King of England, Ireland
and Scotland, following the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Resistance to King William's reign
was the start of the Jacobite uprisings and later rebellion, known as the Williamite War in Ireland, which gave birth to the English Civil Wars (1642-1651). Careful study of of this period
and what was going on in "The American Colonies" at the time, how it lead to the four major
Colonial Wars, culminating with the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and how all of this laid the
groundwork for the American Revolution (1775-1783).
Suffice to say that regardless of your personal
pedigree, race, creed or upbringing , if
you are a U.S. Citizen, Scots history is
YOUR history. You don't need to make any
apologies for being unable to trace your
bloodline to a young man "traversing
the moors of old." As a United States
Citizen, your national heritage starts with
our common forbearers and weaves through
the proud history of the Scots, Irish, Welsh,
English and others that made the sacrifices
necessary to see our county formed and our
hard-fought freedoms secured from tyrants.
Period.
In regards to the wearing of kilts in the
workplace; if a female can do
your job in
a skirt, then you should he allowed
to do
it in a proper kilt, regardless
of the personal
feelings of your administrators.
I understand
and can appreciate why people
are afraid
to broach the subject, but the
fact is, it
is discrimination nonetheless.
As for the dates you are seeking. I would
go with the following, dates
and ask that
they also allow your birthday
as you are
celebrating your heritage and
what better
day to do that than your own
birthday?
|
January 25 (1759):Robert Burns Day, celebrating the birth of Scotland's acclaimed
national poet. Burn's Day is considered Scotland's
2nd national holiday, second only to St.
Andrew's Day and Burn's Night Suppers are
a long held tradition [Burn's Supper Guide].
 March 1: Saint David's Day, celebrating Welsh heritage and the Patron
Saint of Wales. Saint David (Dewi Sant) lived
in 6th century England is said to have been
the son of the King of Ceredigion (a coastal
region on the west coast of mid-Wales). His
life was documented in the late 11th century
in an effort establish the independence of
the Welsh Church following the Norman invasion
of England in 1066. Saint David was renowned
as a teacher and preacher in the period between
the fall of Rome and the Anglo-Saxon invasion
of Great Britain. He rose to bishopric (Bishop)
in the Catholic Church and is said to have
been canonized by Pope Callixtus II in 1120.
The best-known miracle associated with Saint
David is said to have taken place when he
was preaching against Plagiarism in the middle of a large crowd. When those
at the back complained that they could not
see or hear him, the ground on which he stood
is reputed to have risen up to form a small
hill so that everyone had a good view of
him while he continued his sermon. A white
dove was then seen settling on his shoulder
— a sign of God's grace and blessing.
 March 17: Saint Patrick's Day, celebrating Irish heritage and the Patron
Saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick, believed
to have been born in Scotland or Wales. Legend
has it he was kidnapped by pirates (seafaring
Irish marauders) as a young pagan teen. After
6 years in captivity (about 407 AD), he escaped
and fled to a monastery in Gaul, where he
became a Christian Monk and studied under
St. Germain for 12 years. He was eventually
appointed as the 2nd Bishop of Ireland and
worked to convert pagan Celtic Druids to
Christianity while establishing monasteries
and Catholic schools on the Emerald Isle.
His mission in Ireland lasted 30 years and
he retired to County Down. He died on March
17th, 461 A.D. St. Pat is said to have used
the 3-leaf clover (shamrock) to explain the
Holy-Trinity to the tree-hugging Druids.
He is also credited with driving all of the
snakes out of Ireland. His Catholic feast
day, which actually celebrates the day of
his death, has become one of the world's
most popular secular holidays, marked by
excessive alcohol consumption and the wearing
o' the green.
 April 6 (1320): National Tartan Day (USA)
The Anniversary of The Declaration of Arbroath - A day officially designated by the U.S
Senate to recognize the many Scottish contributions
to the formation and development of a free
and independent United States (also celebrated
in Canada). Details at www.tartanday.org.
"For we fight not for glory
nor for
riches nor for honour, but only
and alone
for freedom, which no good man
surrenders
but with his life..."
July 1 (1792 & 1999): International Tartan Day
This is the Anniversary of the Repeal of
the Act of Proscription (1782, an act that outlawed the wearing
of the kilt, tartan, bagpipes, the teaching
of Gaelic and the carrying of any weapons,
also see August 1, below) and the Anniversary
of the Restoration of the Scottish Parliament
in 1999. This is "Tartan Day" in
many countries and some U.S. States, such
as Colorado. You may want to check if your
state celebrates Tartan Day, and if so, whether
it is on April 6 or July 1. Either way, they
are both completely valid dates for celebration.
November 30: Saint Andrew's Day, celebrating Scottish heritage and the Patron
Saint of Scotland. Saint Andrew (pictured
at the top of this page) is also specifically
named in the Declaration of Arbroath. Andrew
or "Andreas the Apostle" was the
very first Christian Apostle, chosen by Christ.
The brother of Simon Peter (Saint Peter,
the first Pope) and a follower of John the
Baptist, in the Gospels. It is Andrew that
introduced his brother, Simon, to Jesus.
Simon was renamed Peter, upon their meeting.
So, these "Top 6" celebrations,
with your birthday, would give you 7 dates
annually. If the actual day happens to fall
on a weekend, I would opt for the nearest
Monday or Friday to the actual date, as is
done with most all observed holidays.
|
If you want to lay some more on, chose from
any of these other very valid celebratory
dates:
February 14 (1692): Remembrance of the Massacre at Glencoe (Glencoe Day).
The Massacre of Glencoe occurred in Glen
Coe, Scotland early in the morning on February
13, 1692, during the era of the Glorious
Revolution and Jacobitism. The massacre began
simultaneously in three settlements along
the glen - Invercoe, Inverrigan and Achacon,
although the killing took place all over
the glen as fleeing MacDonalds were pursued.
Thirty-eight MacDonalds were killed by the
guests who had accepted their hospitality,
on the grounds that the MacDonalds had not
been prompt in pledging allegiance to the
new king, William of Orange. Another forty
women and children died of exposure after
their homes were burned in the Massacre [DETAILS].
April 16 (1746): Remembrance of the Battle of Culloden (Culloden Day).
The Battle of Culloden, like the rest of
Scottish history was a fierce and bloody
battle. The aftermath was to have dire consequences
for Scotland. This was the last Clan battle
to be fought on Scottish soil.
June 7 (AD 940-1014): High King Brian Day (AKA: Brian Boru Day).
Celebrating the legendary life and victories
of the last High King of Ireland, Brian Boru,
who unified Ireland and fought back the evil
Norse Invaders, delivering the Emerald Isle
from the Danish (Viking) occupation (or so
the legend goes). Whatever really happened
1000 years ago, King Brian is still considered
a great Irish folk hero. He is the father
of the O'Brien dynasty / family / Irish Clan
and the namesake of the Boru jacket, the
Irish counterpart to the Scot's Prince Charlie
jacket and the iconic Boru Harp. Thanks to
High King Brian, the Boru harp is the national
symbol of Ireland, which is found in the
lower/left quadrant of the Royal Coat of
Arms of the United Kingdom (pictured right)
as well as the centerpiece of the the Coat
of Arms of Ireland, the Irish Presidential
Seal, Ireland's coinage and and the Guinness
Stout and Harp Lager beer labels! [Details on the life of High King Brian]
|
 |
|
| On June 7th, why not put on your kilt and
Boru jacket and hoist a Guinness in
salute for the last High King of
Ireland? |
June 24 (1314): (Battle of) Bannockburn Victory Day
Celebrating the famous 1314 battle, a significant
and pivotal victory in the Wars of Scottish
Independence where Robert the Bruce defeated
Edward II.
July 22 (1758): Black Watch Day
The 42nd Highland Regiment, the
"Black
Watch", is given its 'Royal'
designation.
Be sure to break out your Black
Watch Tartan
and celebrate one of the fiercest
military
units in world history!
August 1 (1746): Scottish Defiance Day, AKA: Rebellion Day
The Anniversary of The Act of Proscription - Put on your kilt, which was outlawed in
this day by the Crown as an instrument of
war. It remained a crime to use bagpipes,
wear a kilt or any tartan for 35 years and
11 months (until the repeal on July 1, 1792,
see section above).
August 23 (1305): Sir William Wallace Day
A day of mourning for Sir William
Wallace,
renowned, liberator, patriot
and protector
of Scotland, credited with leading
the resistance
to the English occupation of
Scotland during
the Wars of Scottish Independence
. He was
executed (hanged, disemboweled
and beheaded)
in London on this day in 1305.
Wallace was
the main character in Braveheart, Mel Gibson's epic 1995 film that artfully
romanticized the Scots' 13th Century battles
to overthrow English rule.
September 11: Referendum on Devotion and Patriot Day (US & Canada)
The Referendum on Devotion (AKA: Scotland
Referendum of 1997) approved the creation
of the new Scottish Parliament on September
11, 1997. Patriot Day was subsequently designated
in memory of those that died in the 9/11
terrorist attacks in 2001, by House Joint
Resolution 71 and signed into Law by President
Bush as a discretionary day of remembrance
(not to be confused with "Patriot's
Day," commemorating the Battle of Lexington
and Concord).
October 25 (1739): Highland Regiment Day, AKA: Regimental Day
The six independent companies
of the "Highland
Watch" or the "Black
Watch",
originally raised in 1729, along
with four
newly-raised companies, were
incorporated
into a Regiment of Foot (Infantry)
under
John, the Earl of Crawford. This
Regiment
was originally numbered the 43rd
Highland
Regiment, but was renumbered
as the 42nd
in 1749.
November 5 (1605): Guy Fawkes Day/Night (AKA: Bonfire Night or Plot Night)
Guy Fawkes Night is an annual celebration (but not
an official public holiday) on the evening
of the 5th of November primarily in the United
Kingdom, but also in New Zealand, South Africa,
the province of Newfoundland and Labrador
(Canada), and formerly in Australia, and
to some extent by their nationals abroad.
It celebrates the failure of the Gunpowder
Plot, in which a group of Catholic conspirators
attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament
in London on the evening of November 5, 1605,
when the Protestant King James I (James VI
of Scotland) was within its walls.
December 26: Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day
Boxing Day is a traditional day in Scotland,
most of the UK and many commonwealth countries.
On the same date, St. Stephen's Day and the
Second Day of Christmas are celebrated throughout
much of Europe. It is usually the first weekday
after Christmas, whether that is 12/26 or
not. Traditionally, it is a day when the
Landlords or merchants gave the leftovers
from their Christmas supper in a box, to
their servants or the local peasants. So,
why not be a Scottish peasant and live high
on the hog; break out your most tattered
and well-worn kilt, clean up the mess from
your Christmas celebration, eat leftovers
and relax a bit after all of the Christmas
ruckus... or take some of your holiday leftovers
downtown and feed a bum. Your choice!
|
| There are also a host of other Celtic seasonal
holidays or solstice commemorations that
would be quite valid causes for celebration. [Details on these dates can be found here] |
|
