Apr. 15 marked the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings, in which twin pressure cooker bombs killed three people and injured over 260 other bystanders and marathon participants near the finish line. The Boston area was on alert for days while the search for the suspects ensued.

The Boston Marathon is an annual race held each April that covers over 26 miles of downtown Boston. One of the most well-known marathons in the world, it is organized by The Boston Athletic Association and attrcats many world-class marathoners. The Boston Marathon was originally called the American Marathon and was first held in 1897, making it the oldest annual marathon in the country. The event has become very popular, even earning its spot as a state holiday known as  Patriot’s Day.

Patriot’s Day was first proclaimed in Massachusetts in 1894. It was established on Apr. 19, commemorating the date of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The 2014 Boston Marathon field will be held on Apr. 21, and will consist of 36,000 runners, 9,000 more than last year. It will be the second-largest field in the race’s history, only after the 100th anniversary in 1996. The reigning World Champion Red Sox also play on Patriot’s Day, and have hosted a home game every year since 1959.

 Officials stress that the 2014 Boston Marathon will be the safest place on the planet on Monday, Apr. 21. Mayor Martin Walsh and Police Commissioner William Evans have said that even more uniform and undercover officers will be surrounding the route than in previous years, watching out for anything suspicious. Over 100 cameras and 50 observation points will help keep an eye on the crowd. It is estimated that over one million spectators will line the course to get a glimpse of the race, nearly twice as many than in year’s past.

This will be an emotional day for the city of Boston as citizens attempt to commemorate the tragic occurrence at last year’s race. Ceremonies will be held to honor everyone affected by the bombings. This year is the 118th year of the Boston Marthon, and it will certainly be one to marvel at.