Patriot's Day in United States

Patriot's Day commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord near Boston. ©iStockphoto.com/Julia

What do people do?

For some people in the states of Massachusetts and Maine, the third Monday of April is a welcome day off work or school. In the area around Lexington and Concord, re-enactments of the battles in 1775 and the events leading up to them are held. A particular highlight is the opportunity to ring the bell that warned the local troops that British soldiers were approaching. Lectures, concerts and road races are also organized. In Boston, a marathon is held. Most years the Boston Red Sox baseball team schedules a game that is timed so that spectators can watch the runners as they leave the stadium.

In the state of Wisconsin, April 19 is a special observance day for schools. On this date, schools are required to educate students about the events and people centered on Patriots' Day. It is recommended that the observances are held on the actual date, although they are generally moved to Friday, April 18, if April 19 is a Saturday and to Monday, April 20, if April 19 falls on a Sunday.

Public life

The third Monday in April is a state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine and state, county, and municipal offices are closed. However, Patriots' Day is not a federal holiday and federal offices are open. Many schools are closed for the spring break. Stores and other businesses and organizations may be open or closed according to local custom. Most public transit services run to reduced schedules, but may not operate in rural areas. There may be some local disruption to traffic around the re-enactments and sports events, particularly in Boston. If Patriots' Day and Tax Day fall on the same date, the deadline for filing an income tax return is extended for the residents of some states.

In other areas of the United States, the third Monday in April is not a holiday and public life is not affected.

Background

Prior to 1775, the area that is now the eastern part of the United States mainly consisted of British colonies controlled by the United Kingdom. The American Revolutionary War, also known as the American War of Independence, was a major step in the independence of the United States. The first battles in this war were fought in the areas of Lexington and Concord, near Boston, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1775. For this reason, the third Monday in April is symbolic for the emerging independence of the new country.

Patriots' Day is also known as Patriot's Day and Patriots Day. However, it should not be confused with Patriot Day, held on September 11 to mark the anniversary of terrorist attacks in the United States on that date in 2001.

Patriot's Day Observances

Related holiday

• Patriot Day–Thursday, September 11, 2008

Other holidays in April 2008 in United States

• Pascua Florida Day (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)
• United Nations' Mine Awareness Day (Friday, April 4, 2008)
• United Nations' World Health Day (Monday, April 7, 2008)
• Tax Day (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)
• Father Damien Day (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)
• Emancipation Day (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)
• First day of Passover (Sunday, April 20, 2008)
• San Jacinto Day (Monday, April 21, 2008)
• Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)
• Oklahoma Day (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)
• Administrative Professionals Day (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)
• World Book and Copyright Day (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)
• Arbor Day (Friday, April 25, 2008)
• Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 27, 2008)
• Last day of Passover (Sunday, April 27, 2008)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Monday, April 28, 2008)

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