The keyword term is a noun phrase functioning as an interrogative clause. Its grammatical purpose is to solicit a specific piece of temporal information: the exact calendar date for the observance of Patriots' Day within the current annual cycle. The components "what date" and "this year" frame the proper noun "Patriots' Day" as the subject of a time-sensitive inquiry.
Patriots' Day is an official state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine. Its date is legally defined as the third Monday in April, causing the specific calendar date to change annually. For the current year, 2024, the third Monday of April is April 15.
The practical application of determining this date is significant for scheduling, as it impacts government services, schools, and major public events in the observing states. The most prominent event tied to this holiday is the Boston Marathon, which is traditionally run on this day. Because the holiday is tethered to a day of the week rather than a fixed number, one must recalculate its position on the calendar each year to identify the correct date.
