Patriots' Day is a state-level civic holiday observed on the third Monday of April in Massachusetts and Maine, and as a public school holiday in Wisconsin. It commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the initial armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War, which took place on April 19, 1775. The holiday marks the beginning of the fight for American independence from British rule.
The historical events honored by the holiday began with the midnight rides of Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott, who warned colonial minutemen of approaching British forces. The British Army's objective was to seize a colonial arsenal in Concord. The first engagement occurred at Lexington Green, where militia confronted the British, resulting in the "shot heard 'round the world." Subsequently, at Concord's Old North Bridge, colonial forces repelled a British contingent, forcing their retreat to Boston while being assailed by growing numbers of colonial militia.
Modern observances of the day combine historical remembrance with significant cultural traditions. The most prominent event is the Boston Marathon, held on the holiday since 1897. Historical reenactments of the battles and Paul Revere's ride are staged in Lexington, Concord, and surrounding towns. The Boston Red Sox baseball team also traditionally plays a home game at Fenway Park with an early morning start time. The holiday thus serves as a regional tribute to the origins of American liberty and the spirit of civic duty.
