In 2025, Patriots' Day is observed on Monday, April 21. The date is determined by its official designation as the third Monday in April.
The observance is legally established in Massachusetts and Maine to commemorate the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which occurred on April 19, 1775. These battles marked the start of the American Revolutionary War. The scheduling on the third Monday of the month, rather than the fixed historical date of April 19, aligns with the modern practice of creating three-day weekends for public holidays. While primarily a state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine, it is also officially recognized in Connecticut and Wisconsin.
This scheduling results in a long weekend for residents in the observing states, where state, county, and municipal offices, along with many schools and businesses, are closed. The date also holds significant cultural importance as the day on which the Boston Athletic Association has held the Boston Marathon since 1897.
