The term "Patriots' Day" functions as a proper noun. As the specific, capitalized name of a public holiday, it designates a unique entity, distinguishing it from common nouns like "holiday" or "day." The word "Patriots'" is a possessive noun acting as an adjective that modifies the noun "Day," with the entire two-word phrase forming a single nomenclatural unit.
Patriots' Day is a state holiday observed on the third Monday in April in Massachusetts and Maine. It commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which were fought on April 19, 1775, and marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. The observance was originally held on the fixed date of April 19 but was formally moved in 1969 in Massachusetts to create a three-day weekend.
The practical application of this observance is most famously demonstrated by the Boston Marathon, which has been traditionally held on this day since 1897. The date also serves as a day for historical reenactments, particularly in the towns of Lexington and Concord, and school vacations in the states that observe it. The holiday thus combines solemn historical remembrance with significant civic and athletic events.
