Patriots' Day is not a federal holiday in the United States. It is an official state holiday observed in Massachusetts and Maine. It is also recognized as a public school observance day in Wisconsin.
The holiday is celebrated on the third Monday in April and commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. These battles, which took place on April 19, 1775, marked the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War. The day honors the colonists who resisted British authority. A major cultural event tied to the holiday is the Boston Marathon, which has been held on this day in Massachusetts since 1897.
Because it is not a federal holiday, national institutions such as the U.S. Postal Service and federal government offices remain open. However, in the states that officially observe it, state and local government offices, public schools, libraries, and many businesses are closed. This distinction highlights the difference between holidays established by state legislatures and those recognized at the national level.
