Patriots' Day is a civic holiday observed on the third Monday in April. It is an official state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine, while also being recognized as a public school holiday in Wisconsin.
The date commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War, which occurred on April 19, 1775. Although the historical date is fixed, Massachusetts and Maine established the observance on the third Monday of the month to create a three-day weekend. This floating date structure is similar to how other holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents' Day are scheduled.
In practice, the day is marked by numerous events, most notably the running of the Boston Marathon, which has been held on this day since 1897. Other observances include historical reenactments of the battles in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. As a public holiday in the observing states, schools, state, and municipal offices are typically closed.
