The Fin Forum

Robert Burns Scotland’s National Poet created a big impact on the American House of Representatives earlier this year. Burns proved beyond all doubt that he had helped inspire many of the early founding fathers of America. In return The House of Representatives passed a resolution recognising his role and encouraging the 200 plus organisations in the USA to continue forging links between Scotland and The USA.

Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina proposed and steered the resolution through the House of Representatives in February 2009. North Carolina is of course the US State where thousands of early Scottish settlers put down their roots and now boosts more people who pride themselves in their Scottish ancestry than there are Scots living in the whole of Scotland.

The Resolution also recognised that Robert Burns had truly inspired the Founding Fathers of America writing inspirational poems such as “Ode for General Washington’s Birthday” and “Ballard on the American War”.

“Scots Wha Hae”

Scots Wha Hae by Robert Burns was at one time regarded as the unofficial national anthem and is still a strong contender if Scotland gets its independence. It was strongly inspired by the American struggle for independence from the same English government.

At the back of Robert Burns mind was his strong belief that the United States victory in achieving independence would trigger off a monster size wave of independence war happening right across Europe.

President Abraham Lincoln

Shortly before his election President Abraham Lincoln attended a Burns Supper giving the burns Immortal Memory speech. This very personal speech is given at every Burns Night Supper each year to remind everyone why they are meeting to remember the Scottish Bard. It is said by some that Abraham Lincoln attempted to give the address in the Scots accent with a mixed success given the difficulty of this even by those brought up in Scotland but having to speak the standard English for most of the day in our workplace communications.