Patriots' Day is an official state holiday observed in Massachusetts and Maine. The keyword, "Patriots' Day," functions as a proper noun. The holiday is celebrated on the third Monday in April, commemorating the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the initial armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War in 1775.
The geographic concentration of this observance is rooted in history. The events commemorated occurred within the Province of Massachusetts Bay, which included the territory that is now Maine (the District of Maine) until it achieved statehood in 1820. Consequently, both states share this historical legacy. While it is a legal public holiday only in Massachusetts and Maine, other states recognize it in a non-holiday capacity. Public schools in Wisconsin, for example, are legally required to observe the day through educational programming. Florida also encourages its observance, but it is not a legal holiday. The celebration is most famously associated with major public events, including the annual running of the Boston Marathon and a morning Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park.
This holiday is a specific, regional commemoration and should not be confused with the federal observance of Patriot Day, which occurs on September 11. Patriots' Day specifically marks the start of the American fight for independence and remains a significant cultural and civic event primarily within New England, reflecting its unique historical identity.
