Patriots' Day is observed annually on the third Monday in April. As a result, its specific calendar date changes each year. It is an official state holiday in Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut, and is recognized as a special observance day in Wisconsin.
The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which occurred on April 19, 1775, marking the start of the American Revolutionary War. While originally celebrated on the fixed date of April 19, legislation enacted in 1969 in Massachusetts moved the observance to the third Monday of the month. This change, designed to create a three-day weekend, means the date can fall on any day from April 15 to April 21. For example, in 2024, it falls on April 15; in 2025, it will fall on April 21.
Due to this floating date, it is necessary to consult a calendar to identify the specific day of observance for any given year. The most prominent event associated with the holiday is the Boston Marathon, which is traditionally scheduled for the third Monday in April to coincide with Patriots' Day. Therefore, the date of the marathon also varies from year to year.
