National Education & Sharing Day is a holiday that is annually observed on the 11th day of the Jewish month of Nisan. It is a holiday that has been observed since 1978 when the U.S. Congress urged President Jimmy Carter to proclaim a special day to recognize the importance of education in the lives of American citizens.

This day also commemorates Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson—a rabbi who won the Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to the field of education. This is a holiday where everyone can come together to ensure all children receive the education that is their natural birthright.

The History of National Education & Sharing Day

As we stated, U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaimed this holiday upon the urging of Congress on April 18, 1978. Since then, it has been proclaimed by every president. This holiday acknowledges the efforts of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson and his work at improving educational prospects for all children.

Facts About Education in the U.S.

Below are some facts about the state of education in the United States. If the following doesn’t motivate people to take a stand for education, then we doubt that anything will.

• Three decades ago, the U.S. was the leader in the number of students receiving high school diplomas. Today, the U.S. is ranked 36th in the world.
• States with the lowest rate of high school students graduating on time annually are Nevada, New Mexico, Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina.
• Approximately 40 million students do not have access to high-speed internet in their schools.
• Only 25% of high school students graduate with college-ready knowledge of English, Math, Reading, and Science.

Observing National Education & Sharing Day

Everyone interested in education should take the time and make the effort to observe this holiday. They can do this by lobbying Congress and other political leaders to improve access to education for children.

They can also use the hashtag #NationalEducationAndSharingDay to spread the word about this holiday as far as possible. Everyone can come together to make education a priority for all children—regardless of their socioeconomic status, their race, their religion, or where they live.