Education Day

Education and Sharing Day
Rabbi M. M. Schneerson
Official name	Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.
Observed by	United States
Type	National
Significance	Celebration of hard work, service and commitment to learning
Date	11 Nissan
2017 date	April 7
2018 date	March 27
2019 date	April 16
2020 date	April 5
Frequency	Annual

Education and Sharing Day is a day established by the United States Congress in honor of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. It calls for increased focus on education, and recognizes the efforts of The Rebbe for education and sharing for all people. Since 1978, Education & Sharing Day, USA has been proclaimed annually by the President on the Rebbe's Jewish birthday (11 Nissan), which generally falls out in April.

In 1978, the U.S. Congress asked President Carter to designate the Rebbe's birthday as the national Education and Sharing Day to recognize and pay tribute to his efforts for a better education for all American citizens.

The Rebbe was a passionate advocate for children and spoke about the need for each child to be given an education that would offer them the opportunities to succeed. He spoke about the need for education to focus not only on academic achievements but also on character building. The Rebbe established a network of several thousand schools and educational centers in America and across the globe.

The Rebbe often argued that the most important part of a child's education is instilling in him or her "[awareness of] a Supreme Being and a Law higher than man’s" or "fear or love of a force greater than man".

To honor these accomplishments, his birth date has been since commemorated as Education & Sharing Day, U.S.A., by Congress and the President. Each year on that day, the President issues a proclamation which calls on American citizens to follow the example set by The Rebbe and focus on education and betterment of society.

The goal of Education and Sharing Day, in the Rebbe's words, is to "Put greater emphasis on the promotion of fundamental human rights and obligations of justice and morality, which are the basis of any human society, if it is to be truly human and not turn into a jungle." It stresses the need for mindfulness in the general education system. The Rebbe called for local governing bodies and schools to join the call and attention given to this day, and to make a point out of it around the country and around the world, to the point, the Rebbe envisioned, it will become a nationally celebrated day, the same way Mother's Day and Father's day are celebrated.

President Ronald Reagan wrote in his proclamation of 1982:

One shining example for people of all faiths of what education ought to be is that provided by the Lubavitch movement, headed by Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, a worldwide spiritual leader who will celebrate his 80th birthday on April 4, 1982. The Lubavitcher Rebbe's work stands as a reminder that knowledge is an unworthy goal unless it is accompanied by moral and spiritual wisdom and understanding. He has provided a vivid example of the eternal validity of the Seven Noahide Laws, a moral code for all of us regardless of religious faith. May he go from strength to strength.