A patriot is someone who loves their country and feels a strong loyalty to it. Patriots take pride in their nation's achievements, care about its wellbeing, and often work to make it better.

Throughout history, patriots have emerged in many nations. During the American Revolution, colonists who fought for independence called themselves patriots. In India, Mahatma Gandhi inspired patriots who worked peacefully for freedom from British rule. Today, we still use the word to describe people who love their country, serve in its military, work to improve their communities, or simply feel deep gratitude for the freedoms their nation provides.

Being a patriot doesn't mean thinking your country is perfect or agreeing with every decision its leaders make. Many patriots work hard to fix problems they see, believing that real love means wanting your country to live up to its highest ideals. A patriot might volunteer to help neighbors after a natural disaster, serve their community, or simply feel moved when they see their nation's flag.

Some people feel intense patriotic feelings, while others feel more connected to their local community or to humanity as a whole, and that's okay.