Patriots' Day is observed in the month of April. The holiday is officially celebrated on the third Monday of April in the states that recognize it.
The date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which took place on April 19, 1775, and marked the start of the American Revolutionary War. Originally observed on April 19th, the date was formally changed to the third Monday in April in 1969 in Massachusetts and Maine to create a three-day weekend. The holiday is officially recognized in Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut, and is a public school observance day in Wisconsin.
In practice, the observance of Patriots' Day has significant cultural and civic importance, particularly in New England. The Boston Marathon has been held on this day since 1897, making it one of the most prominent events associated with the holiday. State and local governments, as well as many schools and businesses in observing states, close for the day. The occasion is also marked by historical reenactments of the revolutionary battles, especially in the towns of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts.
