Patriots' Day is a state holiday in Maine observed on the third Monday of April. It commemorates the first battles of the American Revolutionary War, specifically the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which took place on April 19, 1775. The holiday honors the courage of the colonial minutemen who first resisted British authority, marking the beginning of the armed conflict for American independence. Along with Maine, Massachusetts also observes it as an official state holiday.
The historical basis for this observance in Maine is directly linked to its past as part of Massachusetts. Until it achieved statehood in 1820, the territory was known as the District of Maine and was governed by Massachusetts. Consequently, Maine retained many legal and cultural traditions, including the establishment of Patriots' Day as an official holiday in the 19th century. The date was chosen to celebrate the anniversary of the skirmishes where colonial militia confronted British troops, an event immortalized by Paul Revere's ride.
In practice, the day is a public holiday where state, county, and municipal offices are closed, as are most public schools and many businesses. For many Mainers, it signals the start of the spring school vacation week. While the most famous modern observance is the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts, communities in Maine may mark the occasion with local civic ceremonies, educational programs, or historical reenactments to honor the first soldiers of the American Revolution.
