On National Teacher Day, thousands of communities take time to honor their local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers’ play in making sure every student receives a quality education.
The next National Teacher Day will be celebrated on May 3, 2011.
History of National Teacher Day
The origins of National Teacher Day are murky. Around 1944 Arkansas teacher Mattye Whyte Woodridge began corresponding with political and education leaders about the need for a national day to honor teachers. Woodridge wrote to Eleanor Roosevelt, who in 1953 persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day.
The idea of celebrating Teacher’s Day took ground independently in many countries during the XX century; in most cases, they celebrate a local educator or an important milestone in education (for example, Argentina celebrates Domingo Faustino Sarmiento’s death on September 11 since 1915, while India celebrates Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birthday on September 5 since 1962). These two factors explain why almost all countries celebrate this day on different dates, unlike many other International Days.
| Country | Date of Teachers’ Day |
|
| Afghanistan | 24-May | Students and teachers gather to celebrate at schools with traditional food, cookies, music and presents |
| Albania | 7-Mar | In 1887, the first school which taught lessons in Albanian was opened on this day in the small city |
| Argentina | 11-Sep | To honor the work of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento after he died. |
| Australia | Last Friday in October | It represents awareness, understanding,and appreciation displayed for the contribution that teachers make. |
| Azerbaijan | 5-Oct | Since 1994, on October 5, it has coincided with the World Teachers’ Day (est. 1994 by UNESCO) |
| Brunei Darussalam | 23-Sep | To commemorate the birth date of the 28th ruler of Brunei, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III |
| Bhutan | 2-May | Established and marked on the birth anniversary of the third King of Bhutan, |
| Brazil | 15-Oct | October 15 was officially designated Teachers’ Day in 1963 |
| Chile | 16-Oct | To honor the founding of the Colegio de Profesores de Chile (Teachers’ Association of Chile) |
| Colombia | 15-May | This day marks the appointment of San Juan Bautista de la Salle as the patron of teachers. |
| China | 10-Sep | There are some activities for the students to show their appreciation to the teachers |
| Czech Republic | 28-Mar | The birthday of John Amos Comenius. |
| Ecuador | 13-Apr | Celebrated on this date in honor to Juan Montalvo,teacher who planted in young minds the seeds of development |
| India | 5-Sep | It is the birthday of the second President of India |
| Indonesia | 25-Nov | National Teachers’ Day is commemorated on the same day as the birthday of the Indonesian Teachers’ Association |
| Iran | 2-May | Commemorating the martyrdom of Dr. Morteza Motahari on May 2, 1979. |
| Jamaica | 6-May | In celebration of Teachers’ Day, it is common for students and parents to bring teachers gifts. |
| Lithuania | 5-Oct | Since 1994, on October 5, to coincide with the World Teachers’ Day |
| Lebanon | 9-Mar | Between March 3 and March 9. |
| Malaysia | 16-May | Celebrations are usually held on May 16, or earlier, if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday |
| Pakistan | 5-Oct | It recognizes the importance of teachers and attributes progress to the quality of teachers |
| Panama | 1-Dec | To commemorate the birth date of Manuel José Hurtado, who is known as the father of Panamanian education |
| Peru | 6-Jul | To honor the man who found the first Normal School for Men |
| Philippines | 5-Oct | By Presidential Proclamation No. 479 to honor more than 500,000 teachers nationwide |
| Poland | 14-Oct | On this day is the anniversary of creation the Commission of National Education |
| Russia | 5-Oct | Since 1994, on October 5, to coincide with the World Teachers’ Day |
| Singapore | 1-Sep | Celebrations are normally conducted the day before, where students usually get half a day off. |
| Slovakia | 28-Mar | The birth date of John Amos Comenius. |
| South Korea | May 15 since 1963 in | On the celebration day, teachers are usually presented with carnations by their students |
| Thailand | 16-Jan | Adopted as Teachers’ Day in Thailand by a resolution of the government on November 21, 1956. |
| Turkey | 24-Nov | Atatürk was considered as Prime Teacher for he adopted a new alphabet for the newly founded Turkish Republic on 1923. |
| United States | 3-May-11 | Students often show appreciation for their teachers with token gifts |
