Everyone knows when the school year starts in Russia.
Some students love and eagerly await Knowledge Day, while others go to school with tears in their eyes. Parents also have different feelings about this day.
Soon, children will return to school after summer holidays — a perfect moment to explore the history of this holiday and why the school year in Russia begins on September 1.
The History of Knowledge Day
The holiday on September 1 is relatively young — officially, it has existed for only about 40 years. But what about before that? When did children start school?
In earlier times, harvest season came first. Everyone needed food, so schooling was secondary. Children only went to school after farm work was done, usually around early November.
Urban children started school a little earlier, usually September–October. Even in the early USSR, there was no official start date for the school year. It wasn’t until 1935 that September 1 was officially set as the start of classes.
At first, there were no festive assemblies. The day was called International Youth Solidarity Day, and schools held a “Lesson of Peace”, especially important after the start of World War II. Only in 1984 did September 1 officially become Knowledge Day.
Traditions of September 1
In Russia and other CIS countries, Knowledge Day is celebrated by all students and parents, even though it’s a regular working day.
Traditionally, ceremonial assemblies are held for all classes. First graders with white bows come to school for the first time, meet their teachers and classmates, and are welcomed by school administrators with the first school bell.
Another important tradition is flowers. Every student brings a bouquet for their teachers. Fifteen to twenty years ago, these were often homegrown flowers, but today they are often elaborate arrangements — for florists, September 1 is the busiest time of the year.
Of course, it’s also important to gather all the supplies on the school list .
School Year Around the World
In other countries, the start of the school year varies greatly. In Japan, children start in early April. In New Zealand, classes begin in late January. In the southern hemisphere, the school year begins in late summer or early autumn — which is March there.
In Europe, there is no fixed start date. Each country, or even individual school, sets its own day, usually early autumn.
Most countries don’t have special traditions for this day. Some give gifts; in others, it’s just the beginning of classes.
How do you celebrate the start of the school year?
