In 2025, Patriots' Day will be observed on Monday, April 21. The date is determined by its official designation as the third Monday in April, a rule followed in the states where it is a public holiday.
The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the initial armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War, which occurred on April 19, 1775. While originally celebrated on the fixed date of April 19, Massachusetts changed its observance to the third Monday in April in 1969 to create a three-day weekend. This system means the date of the holiday fluctuates annually, falling between April 15 and April 21.
This scheduling has a significant practical application, as the Boston Marathon is traditionally held on this day. The alignment of the internationally renowned race with the state holiday allows for widespread local participation and celebration, making it a central feature of the day's events in Massachusetts.
