The phrase "Patriot Day Boston 2013" predominantly refers to the Boston Marathon bombings, which occurred on April 15, 2013. While the federal observance of "Patriot Day" (singular 's') commemorates the September 11th attacks, the event in question, commonly associated with "Boston 2013," took place on "Patriot's Day" (possessive 's'), a distinct Massachusetts state holiday celebrated on the third Monday of April, commemorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The Boston Marathon is traditionally held on this state holiday.
On April 15, 2013, during the running of the 117th Boston Marathon, two pressure cooker bombs detonated near the finish line on Boylston Street, approximately 12 seconds apart. These acts of domestic terrorism resulted in the deaths of three spectators and injured hundreds more, some critically, with many suffering amputations. The ensuing investigation led to a city-wide lockdown and a massive manhunt for the perpetrators, brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, culminating in a violent confrontation and the death of one of the suspects, Tamerlan, and the eventual capture of Dzhokhar.
The tragic events of April 15, 2013, profoundly impacted Boston and the nation, leading to a period of heightened security and a powerful display of community resilience symbolized by the phrase "Boston Strong." The incident spurred significant advancements in public event security protocols and served as a somber reminder of the continuing threat of domestic terrorism, while also highlighting the strength of community solidarity and first responder dedication in the face of crisis.
