Monday, April 10, 2006

Not Just A Manic Monday

For those of you from Massachusetts, April 17th is more than just another Monday; it's an extension of the weekend. The date should be starred on your sports calendar. It should be celebrated like the New England version of Mardi Gras. Those outside of the Commonwealth may be confused. That is quite alright. To shed some light on all this I'll let you in on a little secret that most natives of the Bay State are already well aware of: April 17th is officially Patriot's Day in the state of Massachusetts, and as many Bostonians call it: Marathon Monday.

Patriot's Day starts at the crack of dawn on a green in the middle of Concord, MA . It celebrates the various events that helped shape the nation we know today including, but of course not limited to, a simple horse ride from Paul Revere, the shot heard round the world, and the beginning of the British marching to their graves. That's right, the start of the Revolutionary War. Continue east several miles and you get to the city of Boston. Kenmore Square is alive with 35,000+ Red Sox fans who called in sick to work to see the first pitch at 11AM. Going back West 26.2 miles and you have the start of the Boston Marathon at about 11:30.

After much deliberation, I've realized that even though it's a celebration that is saved for the few hundred thousand individuals who either reside in or decide to make the trip from the neighboring New England States, this has got to be one of my favorite holidays. On what other day do you get such an array of American spirit? The beginning of our free country, America's pastime and the most popular marathon in the world happens right here in my backyard! I suggest to any other Bostonians or those who wish they too could partake in such a festive event, that you take full advantage of those sickdays you accumulate at work and join your fellow Americans on the greatest Monday of the year. This is a time when it's quite alright to "have a case of the Mondays."

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

There's nothing better than waking up on Patriot's Day morning and watching the Marathon AND the Red Sox... best sports day of the year.

2:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, very American. But the Kenyans still win the Marathon, the Dominicans still play our Baseball.

Stephan

7:50 AM  

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