Patriots' Day, observed annually on the third Monday of April, commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which occurred on April 19, 1775, initiating the American Revolutionary War. In 2025, Patriots' Day will be celebrated on Monday, April 21st. The primary celebrants of this historical holiday are the residents and governmental bodies of specific U.S. states where it is recognized as a legal observance.
Specifically, Patriots' Day is a legal state holiday in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Maine. Therefore, the individuals and communities who actively celebrate and observe this day are predominantly the citizens and institutions within these two states. Celebrations often include historical reenactments of the battles, parades, and various civic ceremonies. A particularly prominent and widely recognized event associated with Patriots' Day in Massachusetts is the Boston Marathon, which traditionally takes place on this day, attracting participants and spectators from around the world.
In essence, while the historical events commemorated by Patriots' Day are foundational to U.S. history, its active celebration as a public holiday, complete with closures and special events, is geographically concentrated. The "who celebrates" for Patriots' Day 2025 thus refers almost exclusively to the populations of Massachusetts and Maine, distinguishing it as a significant regional holiday with deep historical and cultural roots for these specific states.
