Patriot's Day is a state civic holiday observed on the third Monday of April in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin. It commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which occurred on April 19, 1775. These armed conflicts between colonial Minutemen and British regulars were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.
In Massachusetts, the day is marked by a wide range of public events and traditions. The most prominent are historical reenactments of the battles, Paul Revere's ride, and other key events of that day, which take place in the towns of Lexington and Concord. The holiday is also intrinsically linked to the Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon, which has been held on this day since 1897. Another long-standing tradition is the Boston Red Sox baseball team hosting a home game at Fenway Park with an early morning start time.
The observance serves as both a solemn commemoration of the birth of the American Revolution and a major cultural and athletic celebration. It uniquely blends historical reflection with contemporary community events, creating a distinctive civic identity for the region. For many residents, the holiday and its associated festivities, particularly the marathon, signify the unofficial start of spring.
