Respecting teachers and valuing education is a fine tradition in China. As early as the Western Zhou Dynasty in the 11th century BC, it was proposed that “disciples serve as teachers and respect the same as their fathers”. Confucius, a great educator in ancient times, left behind a series of wise sayings such as “There is no distinction between teaching”, “Learn the new by reviewing the past”, and “Learn and learn from time to time”. Teachers who preach, teach and solve doubts are praised by the Chinese as engineers of human souls.
“The spring silkworms will not run out until they die, and the wax torches will dry up when they turn to ashes.” has always been a classic saying to praise teachers. As a holiday for teachers, Teachers’ Day, Nurses’ Day and Journalists’ Day are also known as China’s three major new industry holidays. The origin of Teachers’ Day can be traced back to the Han Dynasty.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, our country had already formed physical schools equipped with teachers. On every birthday of Confucius, the emperor would lead civil and military officials to the Confucius Temple to worship and entertain the teachers. Although it was not established that the birthday of Confucius was Teachers’ Day at that time, teachers began to enjoy holiday leave and other benefits. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the ninth meeting of the Standing Committee of the Sixth National People’s Congress passed the State Council’s resolution on the establishment of Teacher’s Day, and designated September 10th as Teacher’s Day every year. Since then, China has had a Teacher’s Day in the true sense.
