Patriots' Day is a state holiday observed on the third Monday in April in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the state of Maine. It is also recognized as a public school observance day in Wisconsin.
The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which took place on April 19, 1775, marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Initially, the observance was held on the fixed date of April 19. In 1969, Massachusetts enacted a law to shift the holiday's observance to the third Monday in April, following a legislative trend to create more three-day weekends.
This specific Monday is now synonymous with several major civic and cultural events. The most prominent of these is the Boston Marathon, which has been held on the holiday annually since 1897. Additionally, the day features historical reenactments of the battles in the towns of Lexington and Concord, parades, and other commemorative ceremonies that connect the modern observance with its historical roots.
