In 2025, the state holiday will be observed in Massachusetts on Monday, April 21. The date is determined by a state-level statute that designates the third Monday in April for its observance each year.
This 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. The observance was officially moved from the fixed date of April 19 to the third Monday of the month in 1969. This legislative change was made to create a three-day weekend, a practice consistent with the federal Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
The scheduling of the holiday on a Monday has significant practical implications for civic and cultural life in the state. Major events, including historical reenactments and local parades, are organized for this day. Most notably, the Boston Marathon has been held on this date since its inception in 1897, making it one of the most prominent public events associated with the holiday.
