Patriots' Day is commemorated each year in Massachusetts and Maine on the third Monday in April with dramatic battle re-enactments, parades and ceremonies.

Among the better-known commemorative events on Patriots' Day (April 19th) is the Boston Marathon, which has been run now for over a century.

Here's a list of events and locations.

Patriots' Day is a public holiday in Massachusetts and Maine, celebrated on the Monday nearest that date. All Massachusetts state, county and town government offices, libraries, and some local businesses close, though federal government offices, post offices, and offices of large interstate and international companies remain open.

The re-enactment of the battle on Lexington Green starts at dawn (6 am), but crowds of spectators begin to gather by 4 am. If you don't get there at least two hours early, you won't be able to find any good vantage point for the "battle."

Some poeple believe that to get the best views, you must stake out your spot three, four or even five hours before. (In other words, you spend the night there.)

Before 6 am you will hear the redcoats marching along Battle Road as they approach Lexington Green.

Patriots' Day events in nearby Concord are a bit nicer to your sleep-time. A 9:00 am parade with lots of fife-and-drum bands and groups of Minutemen from surrounding towns and as far away as Michigan is followed by ceremonies at Old North Bridge and the repeated firing of two brass cannons.

Several church halls open to provide pancake breakfasts to the multitude.

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Lexington Lexington Battle Battle Road Concord Old North Bridge April in New England New England History

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