Patriot's Day
- proper noun
- /ˈpeɪtriəts deɪ/
- US
- The Boston Marathon is traditionally held on Patriot's Day.
Examples
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Many schools in Massachusetts close for Patriot's Day each April.
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Many people celebrate Patriot's Day with parades.
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She traveled to Maine to witness the Patriot's Day reenactments.
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When is Patriot's Day this year?
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The state of Massachusetts recognizes Patriot's Day to honor the battles of Lexington and Concord.
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During Patriot's Day, many people in Massachusetts partake in historical reenactments and parades.
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Locals gather for picnics on Patriot's Day to celebrate an important event in American history.
Surface Forms
Morphology
Patriot's + day
The compound 'Patriot's Day' is transparently built from 'patriot's' (belonging to or for patriots) + 'day' (a day set aside), so a learner who knows both words will readily infer it is a commemorative/observance day or holiday for patriots. While the specific historical details, date, and regional observance (Massachusetts and Maine, battles of Lexington and Concord) are not derivable from the words alone, the basic meaning as a holiday is clear to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Patriot's Day comes from the early morning of 1775, when local 'patriots' rode to warn their towns and then fought British soldiers at Lexington and Concord. That's why it is a public holiday to remember those brave actions and the start of the 'war for independence'.