In 2025, Patriots' Day will be observed on Monday, April 21. This public holiday is officially recognized in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin, and is a statewide holiday in Connecticut. The specific date changes annually as it is statutorily set relative to the day of the week rather than a fixed calendar date.
The observance is legally defined as the third Monday in April. This scheduling commemorates the historical events of April 19, 1775the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. Originally, the holiday was held on the fixed date of April 19. However, in 1969, Massachusetts shifted the observance to the third Monday of the month to create a three-day weekend, a legislative trend common during that era for state and federal holidays.
The practical application and cultural significance of Patriots' Day are most prominent in Massachusetts, where it is a major civic event. The holiday is famously linked to the running of the Boston Marathon, which has been held on Patriots' Day every year since 1897. The day is also marked by historical reenactments of the battles in the towns of Lexington and Concord, parades, and school vacations. In the states where it is an official holiday, state, county, and municipal government offices are closed.
