History of Patriots' Day in Timeline
Patriots' Day is a holiday observed in six U.S. states on the third Monday of April. It commemorates the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. Celebrations include reenactments of these battles and the Boston Marathon. The holiday serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the founding of the United States.
1907: Maine Replaces Fast Day with Patriot's Day
In 1907, Maine followed Massachusetts and replaced its Fast Day with Patriot's Day.
1938: Massachusetts Legislature Establishes Patriots' Day
In 1938, the Massachusetts legislature passed a bill establishing Patriots' Day in commemoration of the opening events of the War of the Revolution.
1959: Red Sox Game Postponed
In 1959, the Boston Red Sox home game on Patriots' Day was postponed due to weather.
1961: Red Sox Game Postponed
In 1961, the Boston Red Sox home game on Patriots' Day was postponed due to weather.
1965: Red Sox Game Postponed
In 1965, the Boston Red Sox home game on Patriots' Day was postponed due to weather.
1967: Red Sox Game Postponed
In 1967, the Boston Red Sox home game on Patriots' Day was postponed due to weather.
1968: Red Sox Games Started Early
From 1968, the Red Sox games started early, around 11:00 am.
1969: Patriots' Day Observed on Third Monday in April
Since 1969, Patriots' Day has been observed on the third Monday in April in Massachusetts and Maine, creating a three-day long weekend.
1984: Red Sox Game Postponed
In 1984, the Boston Red Sox home game on Patriots' Day was postponed due to weather.
1995: Red Sox Game Canceled Due to Baseball Strike
In 1995, the Boston Red Sox home game on Patriots' Day was canceled due to the baseball strike.
2006: Red Sox Games Started Early
Until 2006, the Red Sox games started early, around 11:00 am.
2007: Marathon Started Earlier
Since 2007, the marathon has started between 9:30 am and 10:00 am.
2013: Red Sox Game Played Despite Boston Marathon Bombing
In 2013, the Boston Red Sox game was played on Patriots' Day despite the Boston Marathon bombing, because the game had finished before the bombs went off.
June 10, 2017: Connecticut Establishes Patriots' Day
On June 10, 2017, Governor Dannel Malloy signed a bill establishing Patriots' Day as a statewide unpaid holiday in Connecticut.
April 16, 2018: Connecticut Recognizes Patriots' Day
On April 16, 2018, Connecticut became the fifth state to recognize Patriots' Day as a holiday.
2018: Connecticut Observes Patriots' Day
Connecticut began observance of Patriots' Day in 2018.
2018: Red Sox Game Postponed
In 2018, the Boston Red Sox home game on Patriots' Day was postponed due to weather.
March 19, 2019: North Dakota Recognizes Patriots' Day
On March 19, 2019, Governor Doug Burgum signed a bill recognizing Patriots' Day in the state of North Dakota.
2019: North Dakota Observes Patriots' Day
North Dakota began observance of Patriots' Day in 2019.
2020: Boston Marathon Canceled Due to COVID-19
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Boston Marathon was canceled.
2020: Boston Marathon Canceled
In 2020, the Boston Marathon was canceled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Red Sox Game Canceled Due to COVID-19
In 2020, the Boston Red Sox home game on Patriots' Day was canceled due to COVID-19.
2021: Boston Marathon Rescheduled Due to COVID-19
In 2021, the Boston Marathon was rescheduled to October 11 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Boston Marathon Rescheduled
In 2021, the Boston Marathon was rescheduled to October 11, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
