Every year on 5 September, schools across India celebrate Teachers’ Day.

Students give cards and flowers.

There are speeches, performances and sometimes even teachers sitting in the students' seats.

But why 5 September?

Why not a date chosen specifically to celebrate teachers?

The answer is the story of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on 5 September 1888 in what is now Andhra Pradesh.

He became:

He spent much of his early career in academia, teaching at institutions including the University of Mysore and University of Calcutta, and later held the Spalding Professorship of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford.

So education wasn't just something he talked about.

Teaching was a significant part of his own life.

When Radhakrishnan became President of India in 1962, some of his admirers wanted to celebrate his birthday.

And this is where the story takes a beautiful turn.

Instead of having a personal birthday celebration, Radhakrishnan reportedly suggested that 5 September should be observed as Teachers' Day.

A later speech by President Pranab Mukherjee records his words as:

That's the reason the date became significant.

His birthday became a day to honour teachers instead of celebrating him personally.

Because he represented much more than political leadership.

He was a scholar and philosopher who believed deeply in the transformative power of education.

His career crossed several worlds:

Teacher → Philosopher → Vice President → President

The Government of India's current profile describes him as a distinguished scholar, philosopher and statesman whose work had a major influence on India's educational and intellectual life.

So celebrating teachers on his birthday created a symbolic connection:

Honouring Radhakrishnan = Honouring the profession he represented.

The heart of Teachers' Day isn't really the cultural programs.

It's gratitude.

The President of India's message for Teachers' Day in 2026 describes the day as marking Radhakrishnan's birth anniversary and remembers him as an extraordinary teacher. It also emphasizes the role of teachers in nurturing talent and character.

That's why the day has survived for decades.

It's not simply:

"Today is Radhakrishnan's birthday."

It's:

"Today, we recognize the people who shape the next generation."

The connection between 5 September and teachers became even stronger through the National Teachers' Awards.

The award scheme was instituted in 1958 to recognize outstanding teachers.

According to the Ministry of Education, 5 September became the fixed date for the award function from the mid-1960s, because it was Radhakrishnan's birthday.

Today, the National Teachers' Awards are still presented around Teachers' Day to recognize exceptional teachers.

So the date isn't just symbolic.

It became part of India's institutional recognition of teachers as well.

Here's what makes the story worth remembering.

A country wanted to celebrate a President.

The President redirected that celebration toward teachers.

And his birthday became a national occasion to recognize an entire profession.

So 5 September isn't celebrated because Radhakrishnan was a President.

It's celebrated because he was a teacher who believed that education could shape individuals—and therefore shape a nation.

Every year, when students wish their teachers:

"Happy Teachers' Day!"

they are unknowingly continuing a decision made more than six decades ago.

A birthday that could have been about one man became a day about millions of teachers.

And perhaps that's the most fitting tribute to a teacher.

He turned his own birthday into a celebration of everyone who teaches.

5 September is Teachers' Day in India because Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, born on that day in 1888, chose to dedicate his birthday to the teaching profession.

Happy Teachers' Day. 📚

And perhaps today is the perfect day to message the teacher who changed something in your life—even if they never realized it.