Patriots' Day is a civic holiday commemorating the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War. Observed on the third Monday of April in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin, it marks the beginning of the organized American resistance against British rule, which began on April 19, 1775. The holiday's main point is the celebration of this specific historical event, making "Patriots' Day" a proper noun.
The historical events central to the holiday are the battles that followed the midnight rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes, who warned colonial minutemen of the approaching British forces. The initial confrontation on Lexington Green and the subsequent fight at Concord's North Bridge, where the "shot heard 'round the world" was fired, are the focal points of the commemoration. These events signified a pivotal shift from political protest to open warfare, initiating the American Revolution.
In modern observance, the day is marked by historical reenactments, parades, and patriotic ceremonies, particularly in Lexington and Concord. It is also famously associated with the running of the Boston Marathon, which has been held on the holiday since 1897. The day's meaning is therefore twofold: it is a solemn remembrance of the first military engagements for American independence and a celebration of civic spirit and local heritage, especially within New England.
