April 6 is Tartan Day, recognizing Scottish-Americans. In a nation-wide celebration, taking place in communities across the United States and 10 Canadian provinces, all that is best in Scottish history and culture will be celebrated.

Tartan Day recognizes the contributions Scottish-Americans have made to the history and development of the United States. According to Senator Trent Lott, a Scottish-American, 11 percent of all Nobel Prices have been awarded to people of Scottish ancestry and nearly half the signers of America's Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent. He pointed out some of the more prominent Scottish- Americans: Neil Armstrong, Alexander Graham Bell, Hugh Downs, Thomas Alva Edison, Billy Graham, Elizabeth Taylor and Katherine Hepburn.

Throughout the year, Scottish-Americans will celebrate their heritage through more than 150 Scottish Games, featuring huge men competing in feats of strength, bagpipe bands and clan tents. Best known are the Stone Mountain Games in Atlanta, Georgia, which tend to draw app. 60,000 people.

April 6 was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish declaration of independence that was signed in 1320. The document, penned at the Castle Arbroath in Northern Scotland by the Bruce and his fellow Scottish nobles, declared Scotland's independence from England and King Edward II.

Though the declaration had no immediate results, it proved a catalyst to Pope John XXII, who formally recognized the Bruce as Scotland's king in 1324.