Patriots' Day was officially established as a public holiday in Massachusetts in 1894. Governor Frederic T. Greenhalge signed the legislation that designated April 19th as the date of observance, replacing the more solemn, pre-existing Fast Day. The holiday was created to commemorate the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which occurred on April 19, 1775, marking the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War.
The creation of the holiday reflected a broader late-19th-century movement towards civic and historical commemoration. The proper noun "Patriots' Day" was chosen to honor the actions of the early colonial patriots. The state of Maine, having been part of Massachusetts until 1820, also adopted the holiday. In 1969, both Massachusetts and Maine shifted the observance from the fixed date of April 19th to the third Monday in April. This change aligned with the federal Uniform Monday Holiday Act, creating a three-day weekend for state and some local workers. While Connecticut and Wisconsin also recognize the day, it is a public school holiday or special observance rather than a full legal holiday in those states.
The establishment of Patriots' Day has had a lasting cultural impact, particularly in New England. It serves as the anchor for significant regional events that have become synonymous with the holiday itself. The Boston Marathon has been held on Patriots' Day since 1897, making it the world's oldest annual marathon. Other long-standing traditions include historical reenactments on the Lexington Battle Green and at Concord's Old North Bridge, as well as a traditional morning home game for the Boston Red Sox baseball team at Fenway Park.
