Patriots' Day is a state-level public holiday, formally observed with government office and school closures, in two U.S. states: Massachusetts and Maine. The keyword "Patriots' Day" functions as a proper noun, designating a specific commemorative event.
The holiday is celebrated on the third Monday in April and commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War, which took place on April 19, 1775. While Massachusetts and Maine are the only states where it is a legal public holiday resulting in a day off for many workers, other states recognize the date. Wisconsin's public schools, for example, are legally required to observe the day through educational activities, though it is not a general public holiday. Connecticut and Florida also have statutes that allow for the governor to proclaim April 19 as Patriots' Day, but these are ceremonial observances and not paid public holidays.
In practical terms, the distinction lies in its legal status. In Massachusetts and Maine, Patriots' Day carries the weight of a significant public holiday, impacting government services, schools, and some private businesses. In other states that acknowledge the date, it serves as a day of remembrance and patriotic observance without the closure of workplaces or schools.
