Overview
- The observance Monday marks Maine’s 120th Patriot's Day since the state adopted the holiday in 1907, 13 years after Massachusetts.
- The day honors the 1775 battles of Lexington and Concord that began the American Revolution, with many marking it through reenactments and the Boston Marathon.
- Coverage differs on Maine’s closure rules, with one outlet reporting state, county and municipal offices closed and another saying it is not a public holiday, while federal offices remain open.
- The holiday grew out of New England Fast Days devoted to public fasting and prayer, which some reporting links further back to Christian Rogation rites and the Roman Robigalia spring festival.
- Maine uses the name “Patriot's Day,” Massachusetts uses “Patriots' Day,” and a 2014 bid to move Maine’s apostrophe did not advance.