Patriots Day

April 19, 1775

I guess this is the best time as any to talk about Patriots Day.

With what happened Monday and has been going on since then I think celebrating our Patriots from 1775 is a good thing to do right now.

Patriots Day commemorates the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. Two months later George Washington would be made leader of the new Continental Army.

Patriots Day is actually held on the 3rd Monday of April, but with not alot of people given the day off they hold the Battle reenactments the Saturday before. It is held at Minute Man National Historical Park area. The first 'battle' is held at Lexington Green in Lexington, Massachusetts, (around 6:00 am) and The Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts, (around 9:00 am). In the morning, mounted re-enactors with state police escorts retrace the rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes, calling out warnings the whole way. (1)

As a re-enactor, you can either buy a replica costume but we find alot make their own. Some people laugh at one another about how much "one might have spent on their replica musket or the hours spent to finish the pair of breeches, but for big time re-enactors this is Woodstock."(2)

"You’re not allowed to fire a gun–even an unloaded replica during a re-enactment–on Park Service land. It’s also against the rules to pretend to be dead, so no one falls down on either side. High drama it’s not, but if you’re here to be entertained, you’ve missed the point." (2)

The Boston Marathon is scheduled to happen on Patriots Day every year. "Many Bostonians refer to it as Marathon Monday." (1) Every year since 1959 the Red Sox are always scheduled to play at home on Patriots' Day. This year games have been postponed due to the sad and very unfortunate circumstances.

Next year's Patriots Day is Monday April 21, 2014. The reenactments will take place on Saturday April 19th, 2014 at same time and place as stated above.

Next time on A Mile above the Syrup: Old Man of the Mountain

1. 'Patriots Day' Wikipedia. 2013

2. Patriots' Day: Two Mornings in April article. Yankee Magazine March 2012. Justin Shatwell