Current Affairs - Important Days - Discussion

International Students’ Day is observed annually on November 17 to honour the courage and sacrifice of Czech students who stood against Nazi oppression in 1939. The day marks the brutal crackdown in Prague, during which nine student leaders were executed, more than 1,200 students were deported to concentration camps, and all Czech universities were shut down. Declared officially in 1941 by the International Students’ Council in London, the observance is significant because it is the only global day dedicated exclusively to students. It highlights the importance of academic freedom, student rights, and the enduring role of youth in resisting injustice and promoting social change.