Confucius Memorial Ceremony is still very popular in the Chinese-speaking world. [File photo]

Teachers' Day

Long before there was a Teachers' Day, disciples (students) honored their teacher's birthday with a simple but solemn ceremony during Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC – 771 BC). The Chinese showed their appreciation for teachers by performing a series of special salutes.

Since Western Han Dynasty (202 BC – 8 AD), more and more emperors used August 27 in the traditional Chinese calendar to worship Confucius as this day is his birthday. They also used this day to entertain Hanzhang (teachers) in Taixue (Imperial College).

In Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), Confucius Memorial Ceremony was held on Confucius’ birthday in the capital of the country as well as the capital of each province. Teachers who were chosen by governments at all levels got bonus from the central government. The custom carried on until Qing Dynasty (1636 -1912), and that day was regarded as Teacher’s Day.