Yes, Patriots' Day is an official state holiday in Massachusetts. It is observed annually on the third Monday in April. The day commemorates the opening battles of the American Revolutionary War: the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Menotomy, which took place on April 19, 1775.
As a public holiday recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, state, county, and municipal government offices are closed. Most public schools and many private businesses also close for the day. The holiday is uniquely celebrated in the region, with historical reenactments, parades, and most famously, the running of the Boston Marathon, which has been held on Patriots' Day every year since 1897 (with exceptions for the 2020 pandemic and the 2013 bombing). Maine, once a part of Massachusetts, also observes the holiday, and Wisconsin observes it as a special observance day in public schools.
It is important to distinguish the Massachusetts state holiday, Patriots' Day, from the national observance known as Patriot Day. The latter occurs on September 11th each year and serves as a day of remembrance for the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The two are distinct observances with different historical origins and meanings.
