Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers. It may include celebrations to honor them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community tone in education. This is one of the most celebrated days and the primary reason why countries celebrate this day on different dates, unlike many other International Days. For example, Argentina has commemorated Domingo Faustino Sarmiento's death on 11 September as Teachers' Day since 1915. In India, the birthday of the second president Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, 5 September, is celebrated as Teachers' Day since 1962.
Many countries celebrate their Teachers' Day on 5 October in conjunction with World Teachers' Day, which was established by UNESCO in 1994.
Dates by country/region
Country/regionTeachers' DayNot all of these days are official holidays. Some of them are not formally named "Teachers' Day" but serve a closely related and prelonged purpose.NotesAfghanistan14 Mezan October 5 (3 Ordibehesht)Barnett R. Rubin, The Fragmentation of Afghanistan (Yale University Press, 2002), p. 105Schools do not have a holiday, but students and teachers gather to celebrate at schools with special traditional food, cookies, music, and presents for the teachers.Albania7 March Celebrates the opening of the first school where lessons were taught in the Albanian language, on 7 March 1887.Algeria28 FebruaryArgentina11 SeptemberIn memory of Domingo F. Sarmiento (15 February 1811 – 11 September 1888), the second president of Argentina.Sarmiento, sus objetivos y acciones; accessed 10 September 2018. Sarmiento made primary education compulsory, established 800 educational and military institutions including teachers' schools, founded public libraries, developed infrastructure, and fostered immigration. Inspired by Horace Mann, whom he befriended, he brought 32 American teachers to Argentina to develop the American model of universal education. The 1943 Interamerican Conference on Education, held in Panama, established September 11 as Panamerican Teacher's Day.Armenia5 OctoberArmenia previously celebrated Teacher's Day on the first Sunday of October. Under a parliamentary decision to amend the law on the Republic of Armenia Holidays and Commemoration Days, the holiday was shifted to 5 October, which coincides with World Teachers' Day.AustraliaLast Friday in OctoberOn Australia's celebration of Teachers' Day, the NEiTA Foundation and the Australian Scholarships Group (ASG) announce the national teaching recipients of the ASG Community Merit Awards. If the last Friday of the month falls on 31 October, coinciding with Halloween, the celebration is postponed to 7 November.Azerbaijan5 OctoberBetween 1965 and 1994, it was celebrated on the first Sunday of October. Since 1994, it has coincided with World Teachers' Day on 5 October.Bahrain5 OctoberBangladesh5 OctoberAdditionally, 15 January is celebrated as a special day to honour the contributions of educators, in memory of Dr. Kazi Motaher Hossain, a prominent figure in the country's education system. On these days, schools often organise events to express appreciation for teachers, with activities like speeches, cultural performances, and student-teacher interactions.BelarusFirst Sunday of OctoberBelgium5 OctoberBhutan2 MayTeachers' Day in Bhutan was first observed on 2 May 2003 to mark the birth anniversary of the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who introduced modern education in the country.Bolivia6 June The date is an homage to the birth date of Modesto Omiste (June 6, 1840) who was concerned about the education system in Bolivia, advocating the right to free public primary education. As councilman, he created the first public schools in the country, one for boys and one for girls.Brazil15 OctoberCommemorating Emperor of Brazil Pedro I's decree of 15 October 1827 that regulated elementary schools in Brazil. The celebration gained popularity throughout the country, and October 15 was officially designated Teachers' Day in 1963.Brunei23 SeptemberCommemorating the birth date of the 28th ruler of Brunei, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, who amongst other things emphasized the importance of education to his subjects by introducing a policy of 'free' education whereby the citizens are charged very nominal fees for attending schools. This policy has been continued and extended by the current (29th) ruler.Bulgaria24 May Bulgarians celebrate Teachers Day on May 24, in commemoration of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who are credited with devising the Glagolitic alphabet. Additionally, November 1 is a Bulgarian holiday dedicated to educators and scholars who have built and preserved the spiritual values and cultural identity of Bulgaria. On 29 September 2006, the date of October 5 was recognized as Teacher's Day by the government.Cameroon5 OctoberOn 5 October 2010, teachers in Cameroon joined their peers worldwide to celebrate the 17th World Teachers Day. With the theme "Nation building passes through teachers", the day served as an opportunity to pay homage to teachers who toil, sometimes under not-so-comfortable conditions, to build the capacities of human resources for the socio-economic development of the country. Commemorative activities in Yaounde began on 29 September with educative talks at the Lycée Général Leclerc, and were rounded off on World Teachers Day at the Wada multi-purpose sports complex.Canada5 OctoberOn October 5, the Canadian Teachers' Federation and its member organizations across the country celebrate World Teachers' Day through a public awareness campaign that highlights the contributions of the teaching profession.Chile16 OctoberIn 1967, September 11 was selected as Día del Maestro ('Teacher's Day'). The date was moved to December 10 in 1975, because on that day in 1945, the Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral received the Nobel Prize. In 1977, the date was renamed to Día del Profesor (also 'Teacher's Day') and was moved again, to October 16, to honour the founding of the Colegio de Profesores de Chile (Teachers' Association of Chile).China10 SeptemberThe Chinese government first proclaimed Teachers' Day in 1985, but has never clearly explained why it should fall on 10 September. Some believe it is due to the similar pronunciation between the word "teacher" () and the two digits 9 (), 10 () in the date. Some people believe it was an arbitrary choice and have proposed to change it to 28 September, believed to be the birthdate of Confucius. On 5 September 2013, the State Council announced a legislative draft endorsing the change.
In China, there are some activities for students to show their appreciation to teachers, such as presenting gifts, including cards and flowers. In addition, many former students will go back to their old primary schools, middle schools and high schools to give presents to their old teachers.Colombia15 MayThis day marks the appointment of San Juan Bautista de la Salle as the patron of teachers. In 1950, Pope Pius XII granted his approval of La Salle as patron of teachers for championing the causes of modern education. The holy founder understood the education of children as the obligation of all. Usually the schools of his time (1651–1719) only accepted young people studying towards politics or diplomacy. Juan Bautista outlined the principles of free and universal education. That same year in Colombia, the President of the Republic declared that date as Teachers' Day.Costa Rica22 NovemberTo commemorate the birth date of Mauro Fernández Acuña (22 December 1843), a reformer of Costa Rican education.Croatia5 OctoberCuba22 DecemberOn 22 December 1961, Cuba declared itself a Territory Free of Illiteracy () (see Cuban Literacy Campaign).Czech Republic28 MarchThe birthday of John Amos Comenius. Czech students nominate their most motivative and inspiring teachers to the Zlatý Ámos (Golden Amos) competition. The coronation of "Golden Amos" takes place yearly on 28 March.Dominican Republic30 JuneEcuador13 AprilEgypt28 FebruaryEl Salvador22 JuneTeachers' Day in El Salvador is observed as a national holiday.Estonia5 OctoberIn Estonia last class students grant leave to teachers by conducting lessons themselves.France27 NovemberCommemorating the feast of Saint Joseph Calasanz, founder of the Order of Poor Clerics Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious SchoolsGeorgia5 OctoberBetween 1965 and 1994, the day was celebrated on first Sunday of October. Since 1994, it has coincided with World Teachers' Day on 5 October.Germany5 OctoberGreece30 January Derived from the Eastern Orthodox faith when the Three Holy Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers (Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom) are commemorated.Guatemala25 June A celebration in honour of the teacher María Chinchilla who died during a violent riot in protest against the government.Honduras17 September Celebration in honour of the life of José Trinidad ReyesHong Kong10 SeptemberBefore the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, Teachers' Day was on 28 September. After the handover to the People's Republic of China, the day was changed to 10 September, which is when the PRC celebrates the holiday.HungaryFirst Sunday of JuneIndia5 SeptemberandFull moon day of Ashadha (June–July)1. The birth date of the second President of India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, 5 September 1888, has been celebrated as Teacher's Day since 1962. On this day, the usual school activities are replaced by celebration, thanks and remembrance. In some schools, senior students take the responsibility of teaching in order to show their appreciation for the teachers.