Scottish American Patriots

On September 3, 1651, William Munro, a Scotsman, was captured at the Battle of Worcester. This battle proved to be the final conflict of the English Civil War. Cromwell and his New Model Army defeated the mostly Scottish Royalist Army of King Charles II.

The Battle of Worcester was fought by a nation in arms; citizen soldiers who believed in their cause and who were willing to die for their freedom.

William was transported as an indentured laborer to the colony of New England. He settled in Lexington, Massachusetts. Over the course of his life he married three times, had 14 children, was eventually made a freeman, purchased several tracts of land, and was the proprietor of Munroe's Tavern.

On April 19, 1775, William's descendant, also named William, was an orderly sergeant of Captain John Parker's Lexington militia company and like his ancestor, also the proprietor of Munroe's Tavern, which was now used as the meeting place for the town militia unit. This unit, composed of 75 citizen soldiers, had been mustered in the pre-dawn hours to await the arrival of British troops.

Just as the sun rose over Lexington Green, the patriots could hear the marching cadence of the British soldiers. Nobody knows with absolute certainty who fired first, but the "shot heard 'round the world" has long been considered to be the beginning of the American Revolution.

Munroe men made up almost 10% of the Lexington militia. Scottish Americans. Patriots. Citizen Soldiers.

One of the first to die for American freedom at the Battle of Lexington Green on April 19, 1775 was a man named Robert Munro, descendant of William Munro, Scotsman. Patriot. Citizen Soldier.

More information on the Battle of Worcester can be found here. Click here for information about Patriot's Day.

Sphere: Related Content

April, the Month of Rebellion

What is it about the month of April that makes us want to fight?

Seriously, look at these dates:

April 6 (1320) - Declaration of Arbroath is signed
April 16 (1746) - Battle of Culloden
April 19 (1775) - Battle of Lexington Green - The Shot Heard 'Round the World
April 19 (1861) - Baltimore Riot - Considered by historians as the first bloodshed of the American Civil War

Isn't it interesting that four of the watershed moments in our history occurred in the month of April?

What are your thoughts?

Sphere: Related Content

Tartan Day Speech

Here is the text from the speech given on Tartan Day 2007 by John T. Mann, Chair of the Maine Ulster-Scots Project. Click on the image to see a full-size view (and you can actually read the words!).

Sphere: Related Content

National Tartan Day 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Americans of Scottish descent have made enduring contributions to our Nation with their hard work, faith, and values. On National Tartan Day, we celebrate the spirit and character of Scottish Americans and recognize their many contributions to our culture and our way of life.

Scotland and the United States have long shared ties of family and friendship, and many of our country's most cherished customs and ideals first grew to maturity on Scotland's soil. The Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence signed in 1320, embodied the Scots' strong dedication to liberty, and the Scots brought that tradition of freedom with them to the New World. Sons and daughters of many Scottish clans were among the first immigrants to settle in America, and their determination and optimism helped build our Nation's character. Several of our Founding Fathers were of Scottish descent, as have been many Presidents and Justices of the United States Supreme Court. Many Scottish Americans, such as Andrew Carnegie, were great philanthropists, founding and supporting numerous scientific, educational, and civic institutions. From the evocative sounds of the bagpipes to the great sport of golf, the Scots have also left an indelible mark on American culture.

National Tartan Day is an opportunity to celebrate all Americans who claim Scottish ancestry, and we are especially grateful for the service in our Armed Forces of Scottish Americans who have answered the call to protect our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 6, 2008, as National Tartan Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day by celebrating the continued friendship between the people of Scotland and the United States and by recognizing the contributions of Scottish Americans to our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Go to the official White House Press Release.

Sphere: Related Content