THE birthday of Scottish footballing legend Archie Gemmill has been declared a national holiday.

MSPs backed a proposal to create a holiday honouring the former Nottingham Forest midfielder who became a national hero after his wonder goal against Holland in the 1978 World Cup.

Gemmill's birthday brings the number of national holidays to 216.

First Minister Jack McConnell said: "I think it's safe to say that Scotland is now the most career-averse little country in the world. We may even go traveling for a year."

'Archie Gemmill Day' is the latest in a series of commemorative holidays celebrating Scotland at its best, including:

• January 25: The invention of steam (1726)

• February 9: The Battle of Giffnock (1185 - King Svenborg vanquished by Gary of the Mearns)

• April 11: The discovery of Fife (1887)

• June 11: Archie Gemmell's goal against Holland (1978)

• June 18: David Narey's goal against Brazil (1982)

• June 25: The apprehension of Professor Moriarty (1892)

• June 30: The sending-off of David Beckham, England v Argentina (1998)

• August 9: The discovery of incapacity benefit (1996)

• October 21: The incorporation of Tunnocks (1382)

• October 31: The completion and testing of Alistair Darling (1989)

• November 8: The resignation of Henry McLeish (2001)

Darling: android success story

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