Patriots' Day is a state-level statutory holiday in a limited number of U.S. states, but it is not a federal holiday. Its legal status is established by state law, not by the United States Congress. Consequently, its observance as a legal public holiday is confined to the specific jurisdictions that have enacted legislation to recognize it.
A statutory holiday, also known as a public or legal holiday, is a day designated by law (a statute) on which government offices, and often schools and private sector businesses, are closed. In the United States, holidays are established at two primary levels: federal and state. Patriots' Day is officially recognized as a statutory holiday in Massachusetts and Maine, where it is observed on the third Monday in April. The state of Wisconsin also officially observes the day on April 19, but it is a special observance day for schools rather than a general public holiday involving widespread closures.
The practical implication of this legal distinction is that the effects of the holiday are geographically specific. In Massachusetts and Maine, Patriots' Day carries the full weight of a public holiday, leading to the closure of state government services, public educational institutions, and many private businesses. In all other states, the day is not legally recognized as a holiday, and standard business, government, and school operations are maintained.
