Patriots' Day is an official state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine, but it is not a federal holiday. Observed on the third Monday in April, it commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War.
The distinction between these classifications is significant. Federal holidays are designated by the U.S. Congress and apply nationwide, requiring the closure of federal government offices, services like the U.S. Postal Service, and federally chartered banks. In contrast, a state holiday is established by a state's legislature and is only officially observed within that state's borders. As such, the observance of Patriots' Day is limited to state and local government functions, including public schools, within Massachusetts and Maine.
In practical terms, this means that while state and municipal offices in Massachusetts are closed on Patriots' Day, federal institutions remain open. Private businesses have the discretion to close or remain open. The holiday's regional nature is deeply tied to its historical context, celebrating events that occurred locally but were pivotal to the nation's founding. It is famously associated with civic events like the Boston Marathon, further cementing its status as a unique regional commemoration.
