Today's Guest Blogger: His Majesty, King James I of Scotland!
Welcome, fellow Scotsmen; and greetings, Scotsmen- and Scotswomen-in-spirit of the City, County and State of New York, as we, James the First, King of all Scotland, greet ye upon the observance of this, the Eighth Annual Tartan Day in America Celebrations.
For those of you not familiar with the basics of Tartan Day, know this:
There are innumerable organizations and individual societies throughout the United States and Canada who have taken it upon themselves to celebrate April 6th, 1320 --- the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland's version of the American Declaration of Independence. The present concept of Tartan Day dates back to December 19th, 1991, when, in response to actions initiated by the Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada, the Ontario Legislature passed a resolution, proclaiming April 6th as "Tartan Day," following the example of other Provinces across Canada. Seven years later, on March 20th, 1998, United States Senate Resolution No. 155 was unanimously passed, whereby each April 6th across the 50 United States would be designated as "National Tartan Day."
To date, there are over 450 St. Andrew's Societies, Caledonian Clubs and other related Scottish organizations. Of the 56 men who signed the American Declaration of Independence, nine were directly or indirectly descended from Scotsfolk. Of the 13 Governors of the former Thirteen American Colonies, nine were either Scottish or of Scottish descent. 35 United States Supreme Court Justices have been Scots. There are other examples, more than this old Royal Scotsman can cite here.
In New York City especially, Tartan Week has had a particularly unique history. Starting as a simple short Parade that attracted a mere 100 participants, it has since blossomed into a full-scale event of the highest possible order --- never more so than this year, when three unprecedented milestones share the same commemorative year: first, the Golden Anniversary of the founding of the non-profit American Scottish Foundation, which was the first organization in the Tri-State Metropolitan Region to fully recognize the contributions of Scottish-Americans to the New York story; second, the 150th Anniversary of the New York Caledonian Club, the first organization in the New York Area to stage a Scottish Highland Games on Manhattan soil; and lastly, the 250th Anniversary of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York, the oldest Scottish organization on the East Coast of North America.
This year's New York Tartan Day Parade has chosen for its Grand Marshal a man whose significant talents, showmanship and boundless imagination have captivated Our Royal Person for quite some time now: Brigadier Melville Jameson, Producer and Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, "the most decorated military display in the world," and one of the most imaginative among modern-day Scotsfolk. Recently, Sir Melville announced that, at the conclusion of the 2006 Tattoo season, he would stand down and relinquish his duties as head of the Tattoo, having served in those roles for 11 consecutive years. The just-published report that plans are well underway to bring the Brigadier's vision of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo to American soil in the near future brings, at the very least, the merriest of smiles to this Royal face.
Now, be it resolved, therefore, that We, James the First, King and Lord High Sovereign of all Scotland, in commemoration of all these good works, do herewith and hereby post within the pages of this, Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's Diary of Magecraft, Our most humble wishes and felicitations to the Mortalfolk of New York City and its surrounding areas; and We further invite all and sundry to experience the wonders of Scotland and her people throughout the world, as well as within the Realms of ye Wyrlde Wyde Webbe, through not only Master Blackwolf's own Dark Chambers; but also its sister homepage, Uncle Fergus' Bagpipers' Paradise!
In witness whereof, We have this day caused the Royal Arms of Scotland to be affix'd ----
Signed,
James I
King of all Scotland
For those of you not familiar with the basics of Tartan Day, know this:
There are innumerable organizations and individual societies throughout the United States and Canada who have taken it upon themselves to celebrate April 6th, 1320 --- the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland's version of the American Declaration of Independence. The present concept of Tartan Day dates back to December 19th, 1991, when, in response to actions initiated by the Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada, the Ontario Legislature passed a resolution, proclaiming April 6th as "Tartan Day," following the example of other Provinces across Canada. Seven years later, on March 20th, 1998, United States Senate Resolution No. 155 was unanimously passed, whereby each April 6th across the 50 United States would be designated as "National Tartan Day."
To date, there are over 450 St. Andrew's Societies, Caledonian Clubs and other related Scottish organizations. Of the 56 men who signed the American Declaration of Independence, nine were directly or indirectly descended from Scotsfolk. Of the 13 Governors of the former Thirteen American Colonies, nine were either Scottish or of Scottish descent. 35 United States Supreme Court Justices have been Scots. There are other examples, more than this old Royal Scotsman can cite here.
In New York City especially, Tartan Week has had a particularly unique history. Starting as a simple short Parade that attracted a mere 100 participants, it has since blossomed into a full-scale event of the highest possible order --- never more so than this year, when three unprecedented milestones share the same commemorative year: first, the Golden Anniversary of the founding of the non-profit American Scottish Foundation, which was the first organization in the Tri-State Metropolitan Region to fully recognize the contributions of Scottish-Americans to the New York story; second, the 150th Anniversary of the New York Caledonian Club, the first organization in the New York Area to stage a Scottish Highland Games on Manhattan soil; and lastly, the 250th Anniversary of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York, the oldest Scottish organization on the East Coast of North America.
This year's New York Tartan Day Parade has chosen for its Grand Marshal a man whose significant talents, showmanship and boundless imagination have captivated Our Royal Person for quite some time now: Brigadier Melville Jameson, Producer and Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, "the most decorated military display in the world," and one of the most imaginative among modern-day Scotsfolk. Recently, Sir Melville announced that, at the conclusion of the 2006 Tattoo season, he would stand down and relinquish his duties as head of the Tattoo, having served in those roles for 11 consecutive years. The just-published report that plans are well underway to bring the Brigadier's vision of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo to American soil in the near future brings, at the very least, the merriest of smiles to this Royal face.
Now, be it resolved, therefore, that We, James the First, King and Lord High Sovereign of all Scotland, in commemoration of all these good works, do herewith and hereby post within the pages of this, Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's Diary of Magecraft, Our most humble wishes and felicitations to the Mortalfolk of New York City and its surrounding areas; and We further invite all and sundry to experience the wonders of Scotland and her people throughout the world, as well as within the Realms of ye Wyrlde Wyde Webbe, through not only Master Blackwolf's own Dark Chambers; but also its sister homepage, Uncle Fergus' Bagpipers' Paradise!
In witness whereof, We have this day caused the Royal Arms of Scotland to be affix'd ----
Signed,
James I
King of all Scotland
posted by Master Blackwolf | 7:11 AM
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