Teacher's Day is broadly defined as a day to thank teachers for their teaching and to acknowledge their contribution and efforts to the cause of education. Different countries and organizations observe Teacher's Day on different days.
Teacher's Day in the People's Republic of China
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Teacher's Day was celebrated on 6 June every year. In 1951, the Communist Party of China, in accordance with the principle that teachers are members of the workforce, changed the date to 1 May, which coincides with International Labour Day. After 1957, due to the Cultural Revolution, the status of teachers declined significantly. Teacher's Day existed in name only.
In April 1982, Zhang Chengxian and Fang Ming jointly submitted a "Report on the Request for Restoration of Teachers' Day" to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), suggesting that May 5, the birthday of Karl Marx, should be celebrated as Teachers' Day.
In 1985, then Premier Zhao Ziyang proposed a bill to establish a Teachers' Day, which was passed by the People's Congress and designated as September 10 at the beginning of the new school year in autumn. There is no legal holiday on this Teacher's Day [8], but some schools, especially elementary schools, have a break ranging from half a day to a day off on Teacher's Day. Every year, the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China sets a theme for Teacher's Day, for example, the theme for 2018 is "Promote the noble virtues of teachers, dedicate yourself to establishing virtue and cultivating people".
In 2013, the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council released the Draft Revised Package of Education Laws (Draft for Comments), which proposed that "September 28th be celebrated as Teachers' Day", the first official response to the idea of celebrating Teachers' Day on the anniversary of Confucius' birth.
Hong Kong
Before the handover of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, Teacher's Day was celebrated on 28 September, the birthday of Confucius, according to the custom of the Government of the Republic of China; after the handover of sovereignty, it was celebrated on 10 September with the People's Republic of China.
Macau
Teacher's Day in Macau follows the People's Republic of China and falls on the 10th of September every year.
