September 1st: The Day We Go Back to School

2012 Day of Knowledge, St Petersburg, Russia

For many schoolchildren around the world, September 1st is generally known to them as the start of the new school year, which means back to school. But whilst some children may cling onto the last few hours of summer holidays leading up to September; in Russia they commemorate this day as Knowledge Day. An annual occasion marks out the new school year, where both parents and children give gifts to their teachers, and begin the year with positivity.
    Such an optimistic start to the school year could do other countries good perhaps, adding a more happy and celebratory outlook on education. Knowledge day became recognised as a national holiday in the Russian Federation in 1984, and since then, schools have performed the ceremonial regime of beginning the new academic year, followed by the first Lesson of Peace and other lessons. Students of higher education usually attend a large scale assembly welcoming them to the new year too. Politicians even congratulate people in education on beginning their school year! I think it's great that a country can be so positive about education and so grateful to their teachers, taking a day aside to appreciate the effort behind the system. 
 What do you think? Should other countries adopt this celebratory procession every year?