Patriots' Day is predominantly celebrated as a state holiday in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Maine. These two New England states are the primary jurisdictions that formally observe this occasion, reflecting their significant historical connections to the events the day commemorates.
Observed annually on the third Monday of April, Patriots' Day commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which occurred on April 19, 1775. These engagements are recognized as the opening military conflicts of the American Revolutionary War. While its official observance is largely confined to Massachusetts and Maine, where state government offices and many businesses are closed, some educational institutions in other states, notably Wisconsin and Connecticut, may also acknowledge the day for its historical significance, although it is not a public holiday in those regions. In Massachusetts, the holiday is famously associated with the running of the Boston Marathon.
The concentrated geographical celebration of Patriots' Day underscores its role as a regional observance deeply rooted in the historical origins of American independence. It serves to honor the sacrifices of the colonial militias and to perpetuate the memory of the foundational moments in the struggle for national liberty.
