Patriots' Day is not a federal holiday. The central subject of the query, "Patriots' Day," is a proper noun, and its classification is the main point. It is a state holiday observed on the third Monday of April in Massachusetts and Maine. For the year 2025, this date is Monday, April 21st. Wisconsin also recognizes it as a public school holiday.
The distinction between federal and state holidays is a matter of legal jurisdiction. Federal holidays are established by the U.S. Congress and apply to all federal institutions, including the postal service and federal banks, across the entire country. State holidays are designated by individual state legislatures and are only legally binding within that specific state's borders. Patriots' Day commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775), the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, which explains its deep historical significance and observance in New England.
As a practical matter for April 21, 2025, federal government offices and services, such as the U.S. Postal Service, will be open and operate on a normal schedule nationwide. However, within Massachusetts and Maine, state and local government offices, public schools, and many private businesses will be closed. The holiday is widely known for hosting the annual Boston Marathon, an event that underscores its status as a major regional observance rather than a national one.
