Patriots' Day is a state holiday observed on the third Monday in April. As a floating holiday, its calendar date changes annually. The core noun of the inquiry, "day," refers to this specific Monday rather than a fixed numerical date within the month.
This observance is legally recognized in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and Wisconsin. It commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which occurred on April 19, 1775, marking the start of the American Revolutionary War. Originally celebrated on the fixed date of April 19th in Massachusetts, the holiday was moved to the third Monday of the month in 1969 to create a three-day weekend.
The practical application of this floating schedule is significant, as it determines the timing of major regional events. Most notably, the Boston Marathon has been traditionally held on this day since 1897. Therefore, to identify the specific date in any given year, one must locate the third Monday of April on the calendar.
