November 17 — Students' Day: how the holiday originated and how it is celebrated in different countries

Every year on November 17, students celebrate International Students' Day. Its history dates back to the events of the Second World War, and the traditions of celebration may vary from country to country, reflecting national characteristics and historical context. Izvestia tells us why this date has become a symbol of student solidarity, how it is celebrated in different parts of the world, and what other student holidays there are.

The history of the international date

International Students' Day, celebrated on November 17th, is noticeably different from other youth holidays. Its origin is connected with the tragic pages of the history of the European student movement at the beginning of the Second World War.

We are talking about the events of 1939 in occupied Prague. At the end of October, on the anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia, an anti-Nazi demonstration was held in the capital of the republic, which was attended by university students and teachers. During the dispersal of the demonstrators, one of the participants, a student of the medical faculty, Jan Opletal, was fatally wounded.

This led to new mass protests in the country. In response, on November 17, the German authorities surrounded the student dormitories. More than 1,200 students were arrested, some of them were sent to concentration camps, and nine students were executed. On the same day, by order of Hitler, all higher educational institutions in the occupied territory were closed. They remained inactive until the end of the war.

In 1941, in memory of these events, International Students' Day was established, which serves as a reminder of the victims of the protests in Prague, and is also a symbol of international solidarity among young people in the struggle for their rights and freedom.

A holiday in the post-Soviet space

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many newly formed states began to form their own holiday culture, rethinking the Soviet heritage and integrating into the international context. International Students' Day has become one of these dates.

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In particular, in Ukraine, this day has received official status at the state level. In 1999, by decree of the country's president Leonid Kuchma, it is prescribed to be celebrated at the national level on November 17.

This decision allowed Ukrainian students to celebrate the holiday at the same time as students from most European countries, emphasizing the European vector of the state's development.

Every year, the celebration traditions include solemn concerts, scientific conferences and peculiar rituals, such as washing the monument to philosopher Grigory Skovoda in Lviv, which is considered the key to the successful completion of the session.

Student Day in Russia — Tatiana's Day

In Russia, along with the International Student's Day, the Day of Russian Students is celebrated on January 25.

The history of this holiday goes back to the 18th century, when in 1755 Empress Elizabeth Petrovna signed a decree on the establishment of Moscow University (now Lomonosov Moscow State University).

This day was not chosen by chance: it coincided with the day of commemoration of the Holy Martyr Tatiana of Rome, in whose honor a church was established on the university grounds. The day also coincided with the name day of the mother of Count Ivan Shuvalov, the initiator of the creation of the first higher educational institution in the Russian Empire.

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Initially, the holiday was purely Moscow, but over time it spread throughout the country. After the October Revolution, the tradition was forgotten and began to revive only in the 1990s. The official status of the Day of Russian Students was received in January 2005.

The traditions of celebration in Russia include celebrations at universities, the presentation of awards to the best students and folk festivals. For many students, this day also marks the end of the winter session.

Student's Day — 2025: two dates — two meanings

The coexistence of two main student dates — the international one on November 17th and the national Russian one on January 25th — emphasize the importance of this holiday.

However, while International Students' Day retains its original function, reminding of the importance of protecting democratic values, Student Day in Russia and the historically associated Tatiana's Day are predominantly secular and festive, with an emphasis on honoring students themselves.

This diversity reflects the versatility of student life itself, combining serious academic aspirations, active citizenship and carefree youth.

By the way, Student's Day on January 25 is still celebrated in Ukraine, but the holiday is unofficial and is gradually disappearing from everyday life.

Earlier, Izvestia wrote that Russia intends to strengthen measures to support student families.

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