Photo: Boston Marathon 2010 in Wellesley.JPG|Boston_Marathon_2010_in_Wellesley]]

Patriots’ Day, the Bay State’s homegrown holiday, commemorates the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy on April 19, 1775, the first of the American Revolutionary War. While the first shot was fired in Lexington and the Regulars were halted at North Bridge in Concord, more than half of all casualties on the 19th occurred in modern day Arlington as Minutemen from surrounding towns converged on Menotomy to ambush the British over the short distance from Foot of the Rocks (at the intersection of Lowell Street and Massachusetts Avenue) to Spy Pond on the retreat back to Boston.

Today, most of the day’s attention is focused on the Boston Athletic Association’s annual 26.2 miles marathon that bifurcates a 26-mile stretch of eastern Massachusetts. It years will be a great day for runners and fans as the forecast calls for highs in the mid-50s with sunny skies.

So, what’s opened and what’s closed?

Closed

• Belmont Town Hall, offices and buildings are closed as is the Belmont Public Library.
• Belmont public schools are closed Monday and for the week of the spring-time break.
• State offices such as the Register of Motor Vehicles and courts are closed.

Due to the holiday, trash and recycling curb side pickup is delayed a day; So if your removal day is Monday, don’t! Bring it to the side of the road on Tuesday.

And Massachusetts residents get an extra day before submitting or mailing their taxes.

Opened

As it is a state holiday, the US Post Offices on Concord Avenue and in Waverley Square are open as are federal offices.

Star Market on Trapelo Road is open as are retail and convenience stores, eateries and restaurants, and liquor establishments. MBTA: All subway lines will be operating on a regular weekday schedule with added service before and after the Marathon.

On Marathon Monday, various bus routes on both the North and South sides will be detoured. Due to congestion, bikes are not allowed on any MBTA vehicles on Patriots’ Day. An all-day pass is being offered for the Framingham/Worcester line. Copley Station will be closed all day Monday. View the MBTA’s Patriots’ Day schedule here.