The keyword phrase functions as an interrogative, seeking information about the proper noun "Patriots' Day." The holiday is officially observed on the third Monday in April in Massachusetts and Maine. It commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, which were the first armed conflicts of the American Revolutionary War.
In the context of Boston, the day is synonymous with the running of the Boston Marathon. The Boston Athletic Association has scheduled its annual marathon on this day since 1897, making the event a central part of the city's holiday observance. The date's variability is a result of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which shifted the observance from the fixed date of April 19 to the third Monday of the month to create a three-day weekend. Another significant local tradition is the Boston Red Sox home game, which is scheduled for an early morning start at Fenway Park to coincide with the marathon.
Because the holiday is set as the third Monday in April, its specific calendar date changes each year. For instance, Patriots' Day was observed on April 15 in 2024 and will be on April 21 in 2025. This floating date makes it a unique regional observance that combines historical commemoration with significant, large-scale civic and sporting events that define the day for Boston residents and visitors.
