The subject of the query, "Patriots' Day," is a proper noun that designates a specific civic holiday. The determination of its date is not fixed to a specific number but is established by state law. In Massachusetts, Patriots' Day is officially observed on the third Monday in April each year.
For the current year, the third Monday of April falls on April 15, 2024. This holiday commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which took place on April 19, 1775, and marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. While the historical anniversary is April 19, a 1969 Massachusetts statute moved the official observance to the third Monday of the month to create a three-day weekend.
The practical application of this date is significant within the Commonwealth. The most prominent event held on Patriots' Day is the running of the Boston Marathon, which has been tied to the holiday since 1897. The day is also marked by historical reenactments, particularly in Lexington and Concord, and is a public holiday resulting in the closure of schools and state and municipal offices.
