The keyword phrase functions as an interrogative clause, seeking the specific temporal placement of the event. Patriots' Day is a state holiday observed on the third Monday in April. It is officially recognized in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin, commemorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.
Historically, the observance was fixed to April 19, the actual anniversary of the 1775 battles. However, to create a three-day weekend, Massachusetts moved the holiday to the third Monday in April starting in 1969. Maine had made a similar change in 1965. This legislative adjustment aligns with the practice of other holidays, such as Presidents' Day and Memorial Day, which were moved to Mondays by the federal Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
The scheduling of the holiday has significant practical implications, most notably dictating the date of the Boston Marathon. Since 1897, the marathon has been held on Patriots' Day, making "Marathon Monday" a major cultural event in the region. The day also features historical reenactments, particularly the early morning re-creation of the battle on Lexington Green, connecting the contemporary holiday directly to its historical origins.
