Patriots' Day is a civic holiday observed on the third Monday of April in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin. It commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, which took place on April 19, 1775. The holiday serves as a remembrance of the opening armed conflicts that initiated the fight for American independence.
The historical events remembered include Paul Revere's and William Dawes's midnight rides to warn of the approaching British forces, and the subsequent skirmishes between colonial Minutemen and British troops. Modern observances are marked by a variety of events, most notably the running of the Boston Marathon, which has been held on this day since 1897. Other significant traditions include historical reenactments on Lexington Green and at the Old North Bridge in Concord, as well as a morning Boston Red Sox baseball game at Fenway Park.
This holiday is distinct from Patriot Day, a federal observance on September 11th that remembers the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. In the states where it is celebrated, particularly in New England, the occasion is a significant cultural event that combines historical reverence with community and sporting traditions, symbolizing the beginning of spring and the enduring legacy of the American Revolution.
