https://www.boston.com/culture/history/2022/04/13/how-patriots-day-became-a-holiday-massachusetts-boston-marathon-battle-of-lexington-and-concord/
Patriots Day is a longstanding and uniquely Massachusetts holiday. But while most people might know it commemorates the battle of Lexington and Concord, they probably aren’t aware of how it became a recognized holiday in the Bay State.
Perhaps surprisingly, April 19 has pretty much always been a holiday in Massachusetts.
According to Bridgewater State University history professor Bill Hanna, this day used to be known as Fasting Day, which was a Puritan holiday held before the planting season where people fasted and prayed.
Fasting Day was celebrated in Boston as early as 1670, Hanna said.
“It was meant to pray for avoidance of the plague. They also mixed in hope for the coming growing season. It was a day of reflection,” he said.
>Patriots [day]
>Lexington & Concord
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