Whether elementary school students, college students, business professionals or soccer moms, history is often a blurry subject for many. Basic historical facts should be stored in memory banks ready to be brought to our lips when summoned. New England is the old stomping grounds for much of U.S. history. A lot of what happens today is a result of what started on April 19, 1775.
Leave it to those frugal New England lawmakers not to waste a holiday. In 1897, the first Boston Marathon was held. Since 1969 both the Boston Marathon and Patriots’ Day have been observed on the third Monday in April. Although most people know about the Boston Marathon, many have no clue what exactly Patriots’ Day is. In all fairness, it is only recognized as a holiday in Massachusetts and Maine.
Unscientific research was used to find the answer to the question: What is Patriots’ Day? Relying on modern technology, Facebook Messenger, messages were sent to 20 Facebook friends and family members to find out what they knew about this very important day in our country’s history. They were asked to respond honestly and without researching or asking Siri.
Fifteen people responded to the question, with only two coming close to the correct answer. Olivia Ryan, a 20-year-old college student, said, “I’m not sure what war it was part of, but I know Patriots’ Day was a huge battle near Lexington and Concord. I think Paul Revere was part of it as well.” Charlotte Putnam, a young mother of two, also said that it had something to do with the War for Independence, but didn’t know what battle it was.
The oldest respondents were 92-year-old Carl Ryan and his 67-year-old son, Carl Ryan, Jr. They both have lived their entire lives in a suburb of Boston. Both Carls believe that Patriots’ Day is to honor people who are patriots having served in the armed forces. This covers all wars and all soldiers.
Not surprising were the answers from two 9-year-olds, Mason Brennan and Aiden Hall. They are third grade students who say that it is a day to celebrate the New England Patriots football team. This was also echoed by Toby Watt, a woman in her forties and daycare owner. She said, “It has something to do with football, I think… really don’t care what it is as long as I get the day off.”
Another Massachusetts native, Katie Brennan, said, “Not really sure why we celebrate it, but it’s the start of April vacation and a day off from work.” She admitted that she felt bad for not knowing what it was. Among those who confessed they didn’t know were high school students and college graduates. No one, especially those who spent many years in Massachusetts, had mentioned that it was the day that the Boston Marathon took place.
Patriots’ Day is the celebration of the anniversary of the battles at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. It was the beginning of the American Revolutionary War that led to our independence from British rule. It is a day to honor those patriots who fought against the British Army, often referred to as the Redcoats.
As dawn broke on April 19, 1775, the first shot was fired and would be called the shot heard around the world. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The more you know about history, the better prepared you are for the future.”
