"In 1998 the US Senate, following the Canadian precedent, passed a resolution declaring that 6 April was thenceforth to be celebrated as National Tartan Day, to honour "the major role that Scottish-Americans have played in the founding of this Nation".
The resolution cites the fact that almost half the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent, that the governors of nine of the Thirteen States were of Scottish ancestry; "and that Scottish-Americans have successfully helped to shape this country in its formative years, thus guiding this Nation through its most troubled times."
"They chose that date because 'it has special significance for all Americans'," explains Scottish History Professor, Ted Cowan, keynote speaker at the Tartan Day Academic Symposium in Washington DC for the past three years. "That's because the Declaration of Arbroath, which proclaimed Scotland's independence, was signed on 6 April 1320. According to the US Senate, 'the American Declaration of Independence was modelled in part on that inspirational document'."

Douglas Blane
Avenue, University of Glasgow
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The Declaration of Arbroath (image) - (large image)
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"...and from the chronicles and books of the ancients we find that among other famous nations our own, the Scots, has been graced with widespread renown. They journeyed from Greater Scythia by way of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Pillars of Hercules, and dwelt for a long course of time in Spain among the most savage tribes, but nowhere could they be subdued by any race, however barbarous..."

English translation at Clan MacRae Online
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"...nuncquam Anglorum dominio aliquatenus volumus subiugari..."
(sound file)
too much faithat National Archives UK
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The Declaration of Arbroath in the original Latin