The public holiday known as Patriots' Day was first established in Massachusetts in the year 1894. Governor Frederic T. Greenhalge proclaimed April 19th as the official date to commemorate the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the initial armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War.
The creation of the holiday replaced a previous, more solemn observance known as Fast Day. The intent was to establish a civic day of remembrance focused on the historical significance of the events that occurred on April 19, 1775. While initially celebrated on the fixed date of April 19, the observance was later changed. In 1969, Massachusetts moved the holiday to the third Monday in April to create a three-day weekend, a practice Maine adopted when it officially recognized the holiday.
The establishment of this state-level holiday serves as a formal recognition of pivotal historical events that occurred within the region. Its most prominent modern application is its association with the Boston Marathon, which has been held on the holiday since 1897. This connection has cemented Patriots' Day as a significant cultural and civic event in New England, celebrated with historical reenactments, parades, and athletic competition.
