There are two distinct observances named "Patriot Day" in the United States:
- Patriots' Day (with an apostrophe 's'), mainly observed in some northeastern states like Massachusetts and Maine, commemorates the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy in 1775, which marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. This holiday is celebrated on the third Monday in April and includes battle reenactments and the Boston Marathon. It was established in 1894 and honors the start of the fight for American independence.
- Patriot Day (without an apostrophe), observed nationally on September 11 each year, honors the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims who died in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It is a solemn day for remembering the victims, first responders, and those affected by the attacks. The day includes observances such as moments of silence and volunteer service activities. It was officially designated as Patriot Day by the U.S. Congress in 2001 and is sometimes called the National Day of Service and Remembrance.
So, "Patriot Day" commonly refers to September 11 in national context, while "Patriots' Day" refers to the Revolutionary War-related holiday in April in some states. Both are patriotic observances but commemorate very different events.
