In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Patriots' Day is a state holiday observed on the third Monday in April. The date of the observance is not fixed to a specific calendar day but rather shifts annually according to this legislative rule.
This holiday commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the initial armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War, which took place on April 19, 1775. Originally, the holiday was proclaimed in Massachusetts in 1894 and was observed on the fixed date of April 19. However, in 1969, the observance was officially moved to the third Monday of the month, aligning with the federal Uniform Monday Holiday Act to create a three-day weekend. The day is also an official state holiday in Maine and is observed in Wisconsin.
The practical application and most prominent modern observance of the holiday is the running of the Boston Marathon. This event has been held annually on Patriots' Day since 1897, drawing international attention and making the date significant not only for its historical context but also for its role in contemporary sports and culture.
