Pupil Day (Iran)

Pupil Day, known in Persian as "Ruz-e Danesh آموز" (روز دانش‌آموز), is observed annually in Iran on the 13th of Aban in the Iranian calendar, which corresponds to November 4th in the Gregorian calendar. This day commemorates the tragic events of November 4, 1978, when Iranian school students protesting the Pahlavi regime were killed by security forces on the grounds of Tehran University.

The event occurred during the lead-up to the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Thousands of students, fueled by anti-government sentiment, gathered to protest the policies of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The government responded with force, resulting in the deaths of numerous students. The exact number of casualties remains disputed, but the incident served as a significant turning point, galvanizing public opposition to the Shah and contributing to the revolution's momentum.

Pupil Day is now a national holiday in Iran. It serves as a remembrance of the sacrifices made by students during the revolution and as a day to honor the role of education and youth in the nation's development. Commemorations typically involve ceremonies in schools, speeches by government officials, and events highlighting the importance of student participation in society. It is a day for reflecting on the historical significance of the student movement and reaffirming the principles of the Islamic Revolution. The day also serves as a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Iranian students and the educational system.