People in the United States started celebrating National Teacher Day in 1953 when Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded Congress to set aside a day to recognize educators. The origins of the idea for a day are unclear. They date to the early 1940s. But some references cite the advocacy of a Wisconsin teacher and other references credit the efforts of a teacher in Arkansas for first working to establish a teacher appreciation day. One of these teachers is thought to have written to Eleanor Roosevelt, urging her to take up the cause.
It didn’t become a national day until March 7, 1980, after the National Education Association (NEA) along with its Kansas and Indiana state affiliates and the Dodge City, Kan., local chapter lobbied Congress. People continued to celebrate the day in March until 1984, when the National Parent Teacher Association designated the first full week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week. The following year, the NEA voted to make the Tuesday of that week National Teacher Day.
The NEA describes National Teacher Day as “a day of honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.” Students and parents typically show their appreciation for teachers by writing thank-you cards and sharing small treats and gifts.
In Thailand, it takes place on January 16th every year. Since 1957, Thailand has been celebrating this day in honor of educators. It’s a day to remember their importance in the lives of children. In Thailand, teachers are seen to have a position of high honor. Schools are closed so they can have the day off and so that children can show respect for them.
The bouquets given to the teachers have three specific flowers in them: one symbolizing wit, one for respect, and the other for perseverance. In performing the ceremony, the students are thanking the teachers for having been taught well in the past, while hoping to gain merit, and good luck for the future.