The subject of the inquiry, Patriots' Day, is a proper noun. It refers to an official state holiday observed in only two states: Massachusetts and Maine. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, which took place on April 19, 1775.
While Massachusetts and Maine are the only states where Patriots' Day is a legal public holiday resulting in the closure of state and local government offices, schools, and some businesses, other states have forms of observance. Maine's official recognition stems from its history as a district of Massachusetts until 1820, retaining the holiday after its statehood. The state of Wisconsin also officially designates the day as a special observance for public schools to encourage patriotic exercises. Additionally, Connecticut and North Dakota have statutes that permit the governor to proclaim April 19 as Patriots' Day, though it is not a public holiday in those states.
In practical application, the significance of Patriots' Day is most pronounced in Massachusetts and Maine, where it is celebrated on the third Monday in April with historical reenactments, parades, and civic ceremonies. The most famous event associated with the holiday is the Boston Marathon, which has been held on Patriots' Day every year since 1897. For the rest of the United States, the events of April 19, 1775, are historically significant but are not commemorated with a formal public holiday.
