Patriots' Day, a state holiday observed in Massachusetts on the third Monday in April, commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. These engagements, which took place on April 19, 1775, were the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War, marking the initial outbreak of hostilities between the colonial militias and the British Army.
The historical events commemorated begin with the midnight rides of Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott, who were dispatched to warn colonial militias of the British expedition to seize military supplies stored in Concord. The first skirmish occurred on Lexington Green, followed by a more significant engagement at Concord's North Bridge, where colonial minutemen successfully repelled British regulars. The subsequent retreat of the British forces back to Boston was marked by continuous guerilla-style attacks from colonial militias along the route, a military action known as the Siege of Boston.
The modern observance of Patriots' Day integrates historical remembrance with significant cultural and civic events. The day is marked by historical reenactments of the battles in Lexington and Concord. It is also famously associated with the Boston Marathon, which has been held on the holiday annually since 1897. Additionally, the Boston Red Sox baseball team traditionally plays a home game at Fenway Park in the morning, making the day a unique blend of solemn commemoration and community celebration.
