Patriots' Day is a civic holiday observed by several U.S. states to commemorate the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which occurred on April 19, 1775, and marked the start of the American Revolutionary War. It is traditionally observed on the third Monday of April. For the year 2025, Patriots' Day will fall on Monday, April 21st. Its recognition as a state holiday signifies a day when state government offices and public schools are typically closed in the observing states.
Historically, Massachusetts established Patriots' Day as a legal holiday in 1894, shifting the observance from the fixed date of April 19th to the third Monday of April to create a long weekend. Maine, which was once part of Massachusetts, subsequently adopted the same observance. While statutes in other states like Wisconsin mention the day, its practical observance as a legal holiday with closures is predominantly confined to Massachusetts and Maine. A significant cultural aspect of Patriots' Day in Massachusetts is the annual running of the Boston Marathon, an event that draws international attention and is traditionally held on this specific Monday. The designation as a "state holiday" emphasizes its legal status and the impact on daily operations within those specific states, distinguishing it from federal holidays which are observed uniformly across the nation.
Therefore, "Patriots' Day 2025 state holiday" precisely denotes the observance on April 21, 2025, as a legally recognized day off in states like Massachusetts and Maine, carrying implications for public services, commerce, and specific community events, particularly the Boston Marathon. This regional holiday underscores the diverse historical commemorations acknowledged at the state level within the United States.
