2026: A Triple Celebration
As Scotfest celebrates 46 years of Scottish culture in Oklahoma—America's 46th state—we also commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. This remarkable alignment reminds us of the profound Scottish influence on American history, from the founding fathers to modern innovation.
"The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England!" — Samuel Johnson (ironically proven wrong by Scottish success in America)
Founding Fathers
Of Scottish descent
US Presidents
With Scottish ancestry
Scottish Americans
In the United States today
Innovations
From telephone to television
Scottish thinkers and patriots shaped the philosophical foundation and political structure of the United States
Born in Scotland
Presbyterian minister, president of Princeton, and the only clergy member to sign the Declaration of Independence. Taught many founding fathers including James Madison.
Born in Scotland
Original Supreme Court Justice, signed both the Declaration and Constitution. Drafted much of the Constitution and advocated for popular sovereignty and direct election.
Scottish Descent
"Father of the Constitution" and 4th US President. Of Scottish ancestry, heavily influenced by Scottish Enlightenment philosophy, particularly Witherspoon and David Hume.
Scottish Heritage
First Secretary of the Treasury, born to a Scottish father. Established the US financial system, founded the Bank of New York, and wrote much of the Federalist Papers.
Born in Scotland
"Father of the American Navy," born in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Revolutionary War hero famous for declaring "I have not yet begun to fight!" during naval battle.
Scottish Americans
Including Patrick Henry, James Monroe, John Adams (Scottish mother), Thomas Jefferson (Scottish ancestry), and numerous signers and framers of Scottish descent.
Scottish philosophers provided the intellectual foundation for American democracy
Scottish philosopher whose ideas on human nature, empiricism, and limited government heavily influenced Madison, Jefferson, and Hamilton.
Key Influence: Separation of Powers, Checks & Balances
Author of "The Wealth of Nations" (1776), Smith's economic philosophy shaped American capitalism and free market principles embedded in the Constitution.
Key Influence: Free Market Economics, Individual Liberty
Scottish philosopher who coined the phrase "the greatest happiness for the greatest numbers"—a foundational concept in the Declaration of Independence.
Key Influence: Natural Rights, Pursuit of Happiness
Founder of the Scottish "Common Sense" philosophy, widely taught in American colleges and directly influenced the founding generation's worldview.
Key Influence: Common Sense Realism, Self-Evident Truths
"We hold these truths to be self-evident..."
This famous phrase from the Declaration of Independence reflects the Scottish Common Sense philosophy that dominated intellectual thought in colonial America. Scottish ideas weren't just influential—they were foundational.
From telecommunications to transportation, Scottish ingenuity shaped modern civilization
Alexander Graham Bell
Born in Edinburgh, Bell revolutionized communication by inventing the telephone in 1876. His work laid the foundation for all modern telecommunications.
John Logie Baird
Scottish engineer who invented the first working television system and demonstrated the first live moving images in 1926, changing entertainment forever.
James Watt
Scottish inventor whose improvements to the steam engine powered the Industrial Revolution in America and worldwide, transforming manufacturing and transportation.
Sir Alexander Fleming
Scottish biologist who discovered penicillin in 1928, the world's first antibiotic, saving countless millions of lives and revolutionizing medicine.
Sir Robert Watson-Watt
Scottish physicist who developed practical radar technology, crucial for air defense in WWII and still essential for aviation and weather forecasting today.
John Boyd Dunlop
Scottish inventor who created the first practical pneumatic tire in 1888, revolutionizing transportation from bicycles to automobiles.
Logarithms
John Napier
Refrigeration
William Cullen
Anesthesia (Chloroform)
James Young Simpson
Ultrasound Scanner
Ian Donald
Color Photography
James Clerk Maxwell
Electric Clock
Alexander Bain
Thermometer
Fahrenheit scale development
Fingerprinting
Henry Faulds
MRI Scanner
John Mallard
Bicycle Pedals
Kirkpatrick Macmillan
Tarmac Roads
John Loudon McAdam
ATM Machine
James Goodfellow
From inventing sports to shaping American athletics culture
Scotland invented golf in the 15th century. Scottish immigrants brought the sport to America, establishing the first golf clubs and courses.
While invented in America, legendary coaches like John Wooden (Scottish ancestry) shaped the game, winning 10 NCAA championships.
Many NASCAR legends have Scottish heritage, including Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jeff Gordon—dominating American motorsports.
Scots-Americans like Christy Mathewson (Hall of Famer) and numerous managers shaped baseball's golden age and modern era.
Scottish ancestry runs through American presidential history
Nearly 2/3 of all US Presidents have Scottish or Scots-Irish ancestry
This remarkable statistic demonstrates the profound impact of Scottish immigration on American political leadership
Scottish folk music influenced country, bluegrass, and Appalachian music. Celtic instruments like the fiddle became central to American folk traditions. Modern artists from Dolly Parton to the Eagles claim Scottish heritage.
Authors like Edgar Allan Poe (Scottish ancestry), Herman Melville, and Mark Twain shaped American literature. Scottish storytelling traditions influenced narrative styles across genres.
Scottish stonemasons and architects built churches, universities, and government buildings across America. The White House itself was designed with Scottish architectural influence.
Andrew Carnegie (steel), John D. Rockefeller (Scottish descent, oil), and numerous business titans built American industry. Carnegie alone funded 2,509 libraries across America.
Years of Scotfest
Founded 1980
Oklahoma
The 46th State
Years of USA
Semiquincentennial
In 2026, these three remarkable numbers converge. As we celebrate 46 years of Scotfest in America's 46th state during the nation's 250th anniversary, we honor the Scottish legacy that helped build this great country—from the founding fathers to modern innovation.
From signing the Declaration of Independence to inventing the telephone, from building railroads to establishing universities, from shaping American democracy to revolutionizing medicine—Scottish contributions are woven into the fabric of American history.
Join us at Scotfest 2026 to celebrate this incredible heritage and honor both America's 250th birthday and the enduring Scottish spirit that helped create it.
"Scotland has been one of the greatest contributors to American civilization, and the American people are deeply indebted to the Scottish people."
— President Woodrow Wilson (Scottish descent)