Web Stories
Scotland's first minister to speak, April 6
Posted March 29, 2006; 08:47 p.m.
Jack McConnell, first minister of Scotland, will speak at 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 6, in 101 McCormick Hall as part of a celebration of
Tartan Day.
McConnell, whose position is equivalent to prime minister, will discuss
"Scotland's Values, Ideas and Ambitions, From John Witherspoon to
Today" and will highlight the connections between Witherspoon,
Princeton, Scotland and the United States. While the address is open to
the public, those interested are asked to register to attend by calling
(609) 258-5980.
Tartan Day is formally appointed as the day of celebration of past and
present links between Scotland and the United States. Tartan Day
itself, April 6, was chosen because it is the date in 1320 that the
Declaration of Arbroath (a declaration of Scottish sovereignty) was
signed. The Declaration of Arbroath is recognized by historians as one
of the models upon which the U.S. Declaration of Independence is based.
In addition to Princeton, McConnell also will be participating in
events during that week that will showcase modern Scotland in New York,
North Carolina and Washington, D.C.
He is coming to the University, in part, because of the strong historic
ties to Witherspoon, Princeton's sixth president from 1768 to 1794.
Witherspoon was born in Scotland and served as a pastor there until
taking the Princeton job. A leading member of the Continental Congress,
he was the only clergyman and only college president to sign the
Declaration of Independence. In honor of Witherspoon's contributions in
this country and in Scotland, twin statues
by acclaimed Scottish sculptor Alexander Stoddard were installed in
2001 -- one near East Pyne Hall at Princeton and one at the University
of Paisley in Scotland.
The event is sponsored by the University and the Historical Society of Princeton.