come ogni 6 aprile si è celebrato il Tartan day nella grande mela
www.tartanweekny.com/cgi-bin/events.cgi?event,62
www.tartanday.gov.uk/
America's National Tartan Day on April 6 has a strong resonance in modern Scotland.
Since 1998, the date has been officially recognised by the US Senate as a celebration of the contribution generations of Scots-Americans have made to the character and prosperity of the United States.
It is a fortunate coincidence that 1998 was also the year of the passing of the Scotland Act which re-established a Scottish Parliament the following year after an interval of almost three centuries.
Many have said the influence of Scots on America had been immense, quite out of proportion for a country with a population of just five million.
President Woodrow Wilson, the son of a Scots presbyterian minister, said: "Every line in America's history is a line coloured by Scottish blood."
In the USA there are over 20 million people who claim Scots descent, and most take pride in the transatlantic connection.
Today St Andrews Societies, Clan associations, Caledonian clubs and Burns Suppers are the most obvious signs of continued Scots influence on modern day America.
The Tunes of Glory event in 2002, with 10,000 pipers and drummers marching in the streets of New York, was a magnificent spectacle that c aptured the imagination of the world.
But behind the tartan, modern Scotland also makes an impact in the global economy as an aspiring leader in many areas of modern science and technology.
The truth is that Scotland, as a constituent part of the United Kingdom, has been reinvigorated by its new Parliament which has radically changed the political landscape. In three short years the Parliament has found a personality and has become a focal point in Scotland.
And at the same time, of course, the world comes to Scotland as a world-class tourist destination.
In historical terms much of the basis for today's political system in Scotland was done here in Edinburgh during the 18th century.
The Scottish Enlightenment was very influential across Europe and helped to shape the thinking behind the American constitution.
As did the principles found in the earlier Declaration of Arbroath from 1320. The anniversary of its signing is the date on which Tartan Day is held.
Common sense philosophy, and the belief that any man is as good as his master, and that the people reign supreme. These democratic traditions still unite us today in the 21st century.
The links between Scotland and America, both historic and contemporary, run deep and remain strong.
Tartan Day is now firmly part of the US calendar and a welcome signal that the Scots-American relationship can only strengthen in the 21st century
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"Last night I nearly died,
But I woke up just in time".
Duke Special