Patriots' Day is not an official public holiday in the state of Florida. It is a state-level observance recognized as a legal holiday only in Massachusetts and Maine. Consequently, government offices, schools, and private businesses in Florida operate on a normal schedule on the third Monday of April, the date the holiday is observed.
The observance commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, which occurred on April 19, 1775. Because these historical events took place in Massachusetts, its recognition as a public holiday is geographically specific to that region. This distinguishes it from federal holidays, which are established by the U.S. Congress and are observed nationwide. While Wisconsin also designates it as a public school observance, it is not a legal public holiday there.
For individuals and organizations in Florida, Patriots' Day carries no official status. There are no state-mandated closures or alterations to public or private sector work schedules. While the events commemorated are a significant part of American history, the formal holiday designation is a matter of state law and has not been enacted in Florida.
