In some countries, Teachers' Days are intended to be special days for the appreciation of teachers. Some of them are holidays while others are celebrated during working days.
A day that is dedicated to the hard work that is input by the teacher all year long, a day that is a complete tribute to the teachers all around India. In India teacher’s day is celebrated on 5th of September. Teacher’s Day is a dedication to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was a staunch believer of education and was one of the most well known diplomat, scholar, president of India and above all a teacher. As a tribute to this great teacher, his birthday has been observed as teachers' day and this led to its origin.
This day is just a mere reflection of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's love for and attachment to the teaching profession. As a matter of fact Dr. Radhakrishnan himself asked his admirers to celebrate his birthday not as his birthday but as the teacher's day. His work varied on philosophical, theological, ethical, educational, social and cultural subjects. He contributed numerous articles to different well-known journals, which, are of immense value and seems to surprise various readers because of the depth in the meaning of the articles.
Teacher's day is now one of the occasion that is looked forward by the teachers and students alike as on this occasion its not only when teachers are praised but also around various schools students dress up as a representation of their teachers and take various lectures that are assigned to the teachers they represent. On this day students realize what it means to be a teacher and what it means to control the future of several students in their classes and also teachers are reminded what it felt like when they were the students.
Apart from the fun aspect everybody should pay their respects to the great Dr. Radhakrishnan. Since that day this event have become a regular event. Apart from the fun aspect of the day it is also a day when one can look back and admire and get inspired by Dr. Radhakrishnan, a small town cunning boy, who grew up to become one of the most respected politicians in the history of democracy of India.
Teachers' Days Celebrated in Working Days
India
September 5 is Teacher's Day in India. It is the birthday of second President of India and teacher Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. When Dr. Radhakrishnan became the president of India in 1962, some of his students and friends approached him and requested him to allow them to celebrate 5 September, his birthday. In reply, Dr. Radhakrishnan said, "Instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as "Teachers Day".
This is not a holiday in India. It is considered a "celebration" day, where teachers and students report to school as usual but the usual activities and classes are replaced by activities of celebration, thanking and remembrance. At some schools on this day, the responsibility of teaching is taken up by the senior students as an appreciation for their teachers.
Traditionally, people in India have given tremendous respect and honor to teachers. An old Indian saying (usually taught to children), ranks teacher in the third place, even before God: "'Maata, Pitha, Guru, Daivam'", meaning Mother, Father and Teacher is God.
Indonesia
November 25 is Teacher's Day (Indonesian: Hari Guru) in Indonesia.
Iran
The Iranian Teacher's Day is celebrated on May 2 (Ordibehesht 12, in Iranian Calendar), commemorating the martyrdom of Morteza Motahari on May 2, 1997.
Malaysia
May 16 is Teacher's Day (Malay: Hari Guru) in Malaysia.
Mexico
May 15
South Korea
In South Korea, Teachers' Day is celebrated on May 15 since 1963 in Seoul and 1964 in Chunju city. Originally it was started by a group of red-cross youth team members who visited their sick ex-teachers at hospitals. The national celebration ceremony had been stopped between 1973 and 1982 and it resumed after that. On the celebration day, teachers are usually presented with carnations by their students, and both enjoy a shorter school day. Ex-students pay their respects to the former teachers by visiting them Chunju and handing a carnation. Many schools nationwide are now being closed on this day to prevent a bribe from student's parents. Currently, many schools are temporarily closed.
Turkey
November 24 is the Teacher's Day (Turkish: Öğretmenler Günü) in Turkey.
United States
In the United States, National Teacher Day falls during Teacher Appreciation Week, which takes place in the first full week of May. Students often show appreciation for their teachers with token gifts.
The National Education Association describes National Teacher Day as "a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives".The NEA gives a history of National Teacher Day:
As of September 7, 1976 September 11 was also adopted as Teachers' Day in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Currently, Massachusetts sets the first Sunday of June as its own Teacher's Day, annually.
Teachers' Day as National Holidays
Albania
In Albania, Teachers' Day is a non-official holiday on March 7, right before Mother's Day, which is on March 8.
China
The Teachers' Day was first founded at National Central University in 1931, adopted by the central government of ROC in 1932, and in 1939 the day was set on September 28, which is Confucius's birthday. It was abrogated by PRC government in 1951 and reestablished in 1985, and the day was changed to September 10.
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, Teachers' Day (Den učitelů) is a non-official holiday, celebrated on March 28, birthday of Jan Ámos Komenský (Comenius). Children are expected to bring their teachers flowers.
Latin America
Teachers' Day in Argentina is celebrated on September 11, commemorating the death of President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, politician and respected educator.
Many Latin American countries, however, have a separate national Teachers' Day better accorded with their own history. In Brazil, Teachers' Day (Dia do Professor) is on October 15. In Venezuela, Teachers' Day (Día de los Maestros) is held every year on January 15. In Mexico, May 15 is the Teachers' Day (Día del Maestro). In Peru, Teacher's Day is celebrated on July 6. Colombia celebrates teacher day in May.
Hungary
As of 1952, Teacher's day has been in Hungary on the first Sunday of June.
Poland
In Poland Teachers' Day (Dzień Nauczyciela), or National Education Day (Dzień Edukacji Narodowej) is on October 14.
Students traditionally bring their teachers flowers or buy them some other small presents. Sometimes there are special assemblies held at schools for all the students and staff where students officially thank all their teachers for their effort. School is out on that day; the celebrations are usually held the day before.
Russia
In Russia Teachers' Day is on October 5. Before 1994, this day was assigned to be the first Sunday of October.
Singapore
In Singapore, Teachers' Day is an official school holiday, celebrated on September 1. Celebrations are normally conducted the day before, when students get half a day off.
Slovakia
In Slovakia, Teachers' Day (Deň učiteľov) is a non-official holiday, celebrated on March 28, birthday of Jan Ámos Komenský (Comenius).
Jan Ámos Komenský (Comenius), đây là ngày lễ không chính thức.
Taiwan
In Taiwan, it is celebrated on September 28. The day honors teachers' virtues, pains, and also their contribution not only to their own students but also to the whole society. People often make use of the day to express their gratitude to their teachers, such as paying them a visit or sending them a card. This date was chosen to commemorate the birth of Confucius, believed to be the model master educator in ancient China.
Thailand
January 16 was adopted as Teachers' Day in the Thailand by a resolution of the government on November 21, 1956. The first Teachers' Day was held in 1957.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, Ngày nhà giáo Việt Nam (Vietnamese Educators' Day) falls on November 20. This holiday allows students to express their respect to their teacher. Students begin preparing a week in advance, and many classes usually prepare literature and art to welcome teacher’s day, while other students prepare foods and flowers for the parties held at their schools. Students usually visit their teachers at their homes to offer flowers and small gifts, or organize trips with their teachers and classmates. Former students also pay respect to their former teachers on this day.
Other
In Oman, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Tunisia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco in Islamic Countries, Teacher's Day is on February 28.
The last Friday in October is celebrated as World Teachers' Day in Australia.