Patriots' Day is a civic holiday, primarily observed in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin on the third Monday of April. It commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, fought on April 19, 1775. The holiday celebrates the courage of the volunteer colonial militia, or "Minutemen," who stood against British forces, marking the beginning of the United States' fight for independence. As a proper noun, "Patriots' Day" refers to this specific historical observance.
The historical events central to the holiday include Paul Revere's "midnight ride" to warn colonial leaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams that British troops were marching from Boston to seize military supplies stored in Concord. The initial confrontation occurred on Lexington Green, where an exchange of fire, famously called the "shot heard 'round the world," resulted in casualties among the colonial militia. As the British soldiers proceeded to Concord, they were met by a larger force of Minutemen at the North Bridge, forcing their retreat back to Boston under continuous colonial fire.
Modern observances of Patriots' Day often feature historical reenactments of the battles in Lexington and Concord, parades, and educational programs. The most prominent contemporary event associated with the holiday is the Boston Marathon, an internationally recognized long-distance race held annually on Patriots' Day since 1897. For children, the day serves as a practical lesson in American history, connecting them to the origins of their country through stories of bravery, citizen-soldiers, and the start of the war for independence.
