3rd of Khordad; Day of Resistance, Sacrifice, and Victory: The Story of an Epic Immortalized in School Textbooks

According to the Public Relations and International Affairs Office of the Organization for Educational Research and Planning, on 3^rd of Khordad, 1982 (3rd Khordad, 1361 in the Iranian calendar), the brave sons of the Islamic Republic of Iran—through faith, determination, and revolutionary zeal—liberated Khorramshahr (a city in Khuzestan Province, southern Iran) from the invading Iraqi forces after 578 days of occupation. This victory was not merely a military achievement; culturally and socially, it marked a turning point in the history of the Islamic Revolution.

The late Leader of the Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, said of this great epic: "The 3rd of Khordad is a symbol; a symbol of the triumph of truth over falsehood, and a symbol of divine power."

In order to preserve the memory and message of the liberation of Khorramshahr, the Organization for Educational Research and Planning has, over the years, sought to adopt a deep and cultural approach. While commemorating the anniversary of the city's liberation, it has incorporated content befitting this monumental event into school textbooks across various grade levels. This effort not only conveys the historical account of the liberation but also breathes the spirit of sacrifice, resistance, unity, and faith into the souls of the coming generation.

Below is a partial reflection of this epic within the educational resources of the country's education system:

Elementary School (Grades 1–6):

• Persian Language, Grade 3, pp. 106–107: Featuring the poem "The Scent of Apple and Jasmine."

• Persian Language, Grade 4, Lesson 11: Titled "Commander of Hearts."

• Quran, Grade 6, p. 12: A Quranic reference accompanied by an image of the liberation of Khorramshahr.

• Social Studies, Grade 6, Lessons 22 & 23: Titled respectively "Khorramshahr in the Embrace of the Homeland" and "The Liberation of Khorramshahr."

Lower Secondary School (Grades 7–9):

• Heavenly Messages (Religious Studies), Grade 7, pp. 68–69: Presented as an activity on the theme of self-esteem.

• Persian Language, Grade 7, p. 180: A reference in the section on names and places.

• Persian Language, Grade 9, pp. 88–90: Titled "Heaven's Gate" with a visual and written narrative of Khorramshahr.

• Social Studies, Grade 9, p. 110: On the topic of the Imposed War (Iran–Iraq War).

• Defense Preparedness, Grade 9, pp. 8, 41, 45: Introducing the martyr Fahmideh and a student's narrative of the occupation and liberation of Khorramshahr.

Upper Secondary School (Grades 10–12):

• Sociology 1, Grade 10, p. 55: An image of a martyred teacher during the 45-day resistance of Khorramshahr.

• Defense Preparedness, Grade 10, p. 51: The role of Martyr Sayyad Shirazi in the liberation.

• Contemporary History of Iran, Grade 11, pp. 211–213: Analysis of the occupation and liberation of Khorramshahr.

• Cultural Analysis, Grades 11 & 12, p. 61: A research activity on the international reverberations of the liberation of Khorramshahr.

• Writing 3, Grade 12, pp. 108–109: A memoir-writing exercise concerning June 3rd (3rd Khordad).

• History of Iran and the World 3, Grade 12, pp. 149, 156–157: Covering from the background to the fall of Khorramshahr up to the narrative of its liberation.

• Social Identity, Grade 12, p. 27: An image of a martyr and the resistance of Khorramshahr.

• History 3 (Islamic Teachings stream), Grade 12, pp. 152, 158–159: The consolidation of the Islamic Republic system and the epic of Khorramshahr within the context of the Sacred Defense (Iran–Iraq War).