Scottish American Heritage Month - With an impressive list of contributions to American culture, Scottish-Americans have a lot to celebrate.

Scottish American Heritage Month 2024 – April 2024

Each April, Scottish-American Heritage Month highlights Scottish heritage and remembers the Scottish-Americans who have had an impact on U.S. society. With an impressive list of contributions to American culture, Scottish-Americans have a lot to celebrate.Did you know some of the most famous Americans — including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Uncle Sam himself — have Scottish heritage? As early immigrants to the American colonies, the Scottish have made an indelible mark on American culture as inventors, artists, politicians, and more. What better reason to raise a glass of scotch? Slàinte!  

History of Scottish-American Heritage Month

Scotland: the home of golf, peaty whiskey, and bagpipe music. As one of the oldest immigrant groups to the Americas, the Scottish have played an important role in American development since the beginning.The first known Scottish immigrant, Robert Sproat, sailed to America on the Mayflower in 1620. Scots started coming to the United States in significant numbers in the late 1700s, when political upheavals and social changes at home displaced many Scots and sent them searching for a better home. Presbyterian Scots sought religious freedom in the colonies, and families who lost their land when the clan system collapsed hoped to start over somewhere new.Since the cost of the voyage was high, many emigrants became indentured servants to gain passage to America and pay off their debt there. They signed contracts lasting five to seven years, after which they could pursue their own interests.Scottish immigration accelerated after the 1717 Transportation Act established service in the colonies as a punishment for criminals, who were sent to spend 7 to 14 years in America in lieu of imprisonment or execution at home.Lured by promises of money, land, and freedom, many Scots joined the American revolutionary army to fight against the British. This so alarmed the British that they outlawed emigration to North America during the Revolution. After the U.S. won its independence, Scottish immigrants continued to make up a significant portion of immigration in North America.Scottish immigrants and their descendants have made some vital contributions to American society and culture. Today, about 8% of Americans claim Scottish heritage, including celebrities like Hillary Clinton, Jennifer Aniston, and Barack Obama.

Scottish-American Heritage Month timeline

March 7, 1876
First Telephone Patent

Scottish-born Alexander Graham Bell invents and patents the first telephone. Bell went on to contribute a number of other important inventions.

1776
Scots in the Revolution

Scottish-Americans Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, James Monroe, and others sign the Declaration of Independence, kicking off the American Revolution.

1717
Transportation Act

The Transportation Act called for the transportation of Scottish criminals and Jacobite rebels to America as punishment.

Late 1600s
First Scottish Immigrants

Scots began emigrating to America in significant numbers to escape religious persecution and economic hardship.

Scottish American Heritage Month FAQs

What are the heritage months?

A few other heritage months include Black History Month in February, Women’s Heritage Month in March, Asian and Pacific American heritage Month in May.

Is there a German Heritage Month?

German-American Heritage Month is celebrated every year during the month of October.

What heritage month is February?

Every year in February, we celebrate Black History Month. During this time, we reacquaint ourselves with the racial incidents of the not so distant past and work to create a better future.

How to Observe Scottish-American Heritage Month

  1. Attend an event

    Many cities hold Scottish-American Heritage parades or other events. Find one in your area to enjoy the food, music, and culture of Scotland.

  2. Try some Scottish foods

    From haggis to shortbread, Scotland offers something delicious and interesting for everyone.

  3. Wear your Scottish pride

    Do you know your family’s tartan? Even if you don’t, you can honor your heritage by wearing a kilt or a tartan pattern of your choice today.

5 Fascinating Facts About Scottish-American Heritage Month

  1. Uncle Sam is Scottish

    Samuel Wilson, a New York businessman born to Scottish immigrant parents, supplied meat to the U.S. Army during the War of 1812.

  2. American tales

    Scottish-Americans wrote some of our most iconic American stories, including The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Raven.

  3. Scottish Founding Fathers

    Several of the Founding Fathers and over 75% of all U.S. presidents claim Scottish ancestry.

  4. Born to be wild

    The Davidson brothers of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles fame are the sons of Scottish immigrants.

  5. To the moon and back

    Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, the first two men to walk on the moon, both claim Scottish heritage.

Why Scottish-American Heritage Month is Important

  1. America is a nation of immigrants

    Every immigrant group has had their own unique struggles and triumphs in their American journey. Scottish-American History Month honors that history for those descended from the Scots.

  2. It honors the contributions of Scottish-Americans

    Scottish-Americans have contributed to all fields and remain some of the country’s most successful leaders.

  3. It lets us engage with our ancestry or experience a new culture

    Whether or not you have Scottish ancestry yourself, this is a great time to learn about Scotland, interesting Scottish-Americans, and Scottish culture.

Scottish-American Heritage Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 April 1 Saturday
2024 April 1 Monday
2025 April 1 Tuesday
2026 April 1 Wednesday
2027 April 1 Thursday
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
April Fools' Day
National One Cent Day
International Fun at Work Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
Odisha Day
Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Lupus Alert Day
St. Stupid Day
National Fun Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Reading is Funny Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Boomer Bonus Days
Nature Day
Cyprus National Holiday
White House Easter Egg Roll
Community Garden Week
Assyrian New Year
National Trombone Players Day
Dyngus Day
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Loyal Day
National Greeting Card Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
Investiture of the Captains Regent in San Marino
Logan Paul's Birthday
Rachel Maddow's Birthday
Randy Orton's Birthday
Jonny May's Birthday
Sean Taylor's Birthday
National Window Safety Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
National Public Health Week
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Medication Safety Week
National Bake Week
National Cancer Registrars Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
National Blue Ribbon Week
Golden Rule Week
Take Your Poet to School Week
Keep America Beautiful Month
Move More Month
National Humor Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Scottish American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Welding Month
National Month of Hope
Child Abuse Awareness Month
National Volunteer Month
National Pecan Month
Month of the Military Child
Jazz Appreciation Month
National Internship Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
IBS Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National Decorating Month
National Garden Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Records and Information Management Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
Canine Fitness Month
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Financial Literacy Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
National Car Care Month
Fair Housing Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
National Knuckles Down Month
Confederate History Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
STI Awareness Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Awareness Month
National Garlic Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Earth Month
Physical Wellness Month
Filipino Food Month
National Literature Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
National Woodworking Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
National African American Women's Fitness Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
School Library Month
International Amateur Radio Month
Poetic Earth Month
Ridvan Festival (Bahá'i)
Dog Appreciation Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Children and Nature Awareness Month
National Minority Health Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
National Adopt a Greyhound Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
Parliamentary Law Month
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival
National Kite Month
National Heartworm Awareness Month
National Frog Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Social Security Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
National Donate Life Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Safe Digging Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Informed Woman Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Adopt a Ferret Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
National Financial Capability Month
National Facial Protection Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Multicultural Communication Month
Grange Month
National Pest Management Month
Global Astronomy Month
Cancer Control Month
Genocide Awareness Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)'s Education and Awareness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
International Guitar Month
National Food Month