The phrases "Patriot Day" and "Patriots' Day" are both proper nouns that name two distinct and unrelated observances in the United States. "Patriot Day" refers to the national day of remembrance held on September 11th to honor the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. In contrast, "Patriots' Day" is a state holiday observed on the third Monday of April in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin, commemorating the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.
The primary distinction lies in their etymology, punctuation, and the events they commemorate. "Patriot Day," established by federal law, uses "Patriot" as an attributive noun modifying "Day," without a possessive apostrophe. It is a solemn day of mourning. "Patriots' Day," however, uses a plural possessive noun ("Patriots'"), signifying that the day belongs to or honors the multiple colonial patriots who fought at the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775. The apostrophe after the "s" is a critical grammatical marker indicating this plural possessive case. This observance is celebratory and is associated with events like the Boston Marathon.
Therefore, the difference is not a simple spelling variation but a substantive distinction in meaning, origin, and grammatical structure. The presence or absence of the final "s" and the apostrophe fundamentally changes which historical event is being referenced. Using the correct term is essential for accurate communication and shows respect for the unique significance of each dayone a modern day of remembrance and the other a historical commemoration of the nation's founding.
