Yes, Patriots' Day is an official state holiday in Massachusetts. It is also a legally recognized public holiday in Maine and is observed publicly, though not as an official holiday, in Wisconsin and Connecticut. The observance specifically commemorates the opening battles of the American Revolutionary War.
The holiday marks the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which took place on April 19, 1775. Originally observed on April 19th each year, Massachusetts, followed by Maine, shifted the observance to the third Monday in April in 1969. This change created a three-day weekend and aligned the holiday with the date of the Boston Marathon, an event that has become intrinsically linked with the day's modern celebrations.
As a state-recognized holiday, its practical application involves the closure of state, county, and municipal government offices, as well as public schools and many libraries throughout Massachusetts and Maine. Conversely, federal government offices, such as post offices, remain open as it is not a federal holiday. The decision for private businesses to close or remain open is left to individual company discretion.
