Patriots' Day is a civic holiday commemorating the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War, which took place on April 19, 1775. It is officially observed on the third Monday in April in Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut, and as a public school observance in Wisconsin. The holiday marks the beginning of the fight for American independence from British rule.
The historical events central to the observance include the midnight rides of Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott, who warned colonial minutemen of the approaching British forces. The British Army's objective was to seize military supplies stored by the Massachusetts militia in Concord. The initial confrontation occurred at Lexington Green, followed by a more significant engagement at Concord's North Bridge, where colonial militiamen repelled British regulars. These skirmishes signaled the escalation of political tensions into open warfare.
In contemporary culture, the day is most widely associated with the Boston Marathon, which has been held on Patriots' Day annually since 1897. Other modern observances include historical reenactments of the battles in Lexington and Concord, parades, and a traditional morning home game for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. These events serve to connect the historical significance of the day with civic and cultural traditions.
