The date of National Patriots' Day depends on the country of reference. In Canada, National Patriots' Day (Journe nationale des patriotes) is a statutory holiday in the province of Quebec observed annually on the Monday preceding May 25. In the United States, a similar holiday known as Patriots' Day is celebrated in Massachusetts and Maine on the third Monday in April.
The Canadian holiday, officially established in 2002, commemorates the Patriotes Rebellion of 18371838. This event was an uprising against British colonial rule in Lower Canada, driven by a demand for democratic reforms and greater political autonomy. The date was selected to provide a distinct cultural and historical focus for the long weekend that coincides with Victoria Day in other Canadian provinces. The American holiday, established in 1894, marks the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, which were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.
Therefore, to determine the correct date, it is crucial to distinguish between the two holidays. "National Patriots' Day" specifically refers to the Quebecois commemoration in late May, honoring the 19th-century struggle for political reform. In contrast, "Patriots' Day" refers to the American observance in mid-April, celebrating the start of the war for independence. The Boston Marathon is famously held on the date of the American holiday.
