Burns Night 2020 Date: History, Significance, Celebrations of the Observance That Celebrates Poet Robert Burns' Birthday

Burns Night is a day to celebrate the poet Robert Burns, the author of many Scots poems. The suppers are generally held on or near the poet's birthday which falls on January 25th. The day is also known as Robert Burns Day, Robbie Burns Day or Burns Night. While celebrations are held at any time of the day, in principle, you can celebrate may be held at any other time of the year. It was first organised by his close friends and family, however now it has grown to become a country-wide event showcasing the culture and heritage of Scotland. People celebrate the day with folk music, Scottish fare and renditions of Burns' poetry. Thus began Burns Supper.

Robert Burns also known as Rabbie Burns has written more than 550 poems and songs. He is considered a revolutionary figure in both his homeland and beyond. He was known as the 'greatest Scot of all time' by STV in 2009. The writer from Ayrshire died of rheumatic fever at the age of just 37 in 1796. Burns' funeral was held on the same day his son Maxwell was born. His body was transferred from a grave to a mausoleum where his wife Jean Armour was also laid to rest.

Burns Supper is the main attraction of the day during which people wear tartan, listen to bagpipes and sing Auld Lange Syne. The first Burns Supper was first held way back in 1801 and the celebrations still continue to be the same. Haggis is one of the important dishes in Burns Supper. It is a pudding made of sheep's heart, liver and lungs other than onion, oatmeal and species.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 25, 2020 09:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).