Patriots' Day is a state holiday observed on the third Monday of April in Massachusetts and Maine. The Boston Marathon is held annually on this day, which is colloquially known as "Marathon Monday."
The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which occurred on April 19, 1775, and marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Originally observed on the fixed date of April 19, Massachusetts state law changed the observance to the third Monday in April in 1969. The Boston Marathon, first run in 1897, has always been scheduled to coincide with Patriots' Day, and its race day was adjusted accordingly with the legislative change.
As a result, the specific calendar date of the marathon changes each year, though the day of the week remains constant. This scheduling permanently links the internationally recognized athletic competition to a significant regional historical commemoration. For example, the race occurred on April 17 in 2023, April 15 in 2024, and is scheduled for April 21 in 2025.
