Patriots' Day is a state holiday observed on the third Monday in April in Massachusetts and Maine. It commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War, which took place on April 19, 1775.
Originally celebrated on the fixed date of April 19, the observance was shifted to the third Monday of the month in Massachusetts in 1969 to create a three-day weekend. The day is marked by historical reenactments, parades, and ceremonies, particularly in the towns of Lexington and Concord. The most prominent event associated with the holiday is the Boston Marathon, which has been held on this day annually since 1897, attracting participants and spectators from around the world.
This regional holiday is distinct from the national observance of Patriot Day, which is held on September 11 to remember the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Due to the marathon, the third Monday in April is widely referred to in the Boston area and beyond as "Marathon Monday."
