Cô giáo gửi thanh xuân ở lớp học vĩnh hằng | VTV24

Key Concepts:

• Khu tưởng niệm 21 tháng 10: A memorial site in Hưng Yên province dedicated to Teacher Bùi Thị Thanh Xuân and 30 students killed by American bombs on October 21, 1966.
• Cô giáo liệt sĩ Bùi Thị Thanh Xuân: A fallen teacher who sacrificed her life to protect her students during the Vietnam War.
• Tình thầy trò: The profound bond and sacrifice between teachers and students.
• Sự nghiệp trồng người: The noble profession of education, often referred to as "cultivating people."
• Chiến tranh chống Mỹ: The American War (Vietnam War).

Memorial Site of Teacher Bùi Thị Thanh Xuân and 30 Students

This video details the poignant story of Teacher Bùi Thị Thanh Xuân and 30 of her students who were tragically killed by American bombs on October 21, 1966, in Hưng Yên province. The "Khu tưởng niệm 21 tháng 10" (October 21 Memorial Site) stands as a testament to their sacrifice and the enduring spirit of education during wartime.

The Life and Sacrifice of Teacher Bùi Thị Thanh Xuân

Teacher Bùi Thị Thanh Xuân, a dedicated educator, joined the teaching profession with immense passion. Despite the harsh realities of war and her young child (three years old) and husband being away, she was committed to continuing her educational mission. She made the difficult decision to send her child to her in-laws to teach at the Thụy Dân Secondary School in Thái Bình province. Her personal notebook reflects her unwavering resolve: "To stand shoulder to shoulder with the soldiers on the front lines fighting and saving the country, on the rear, in this beloved school, day and night I will diligently pore over lesson plans, determined to contribute my efforts, to make the profession of cultivating people flourish and change for the better."

The Tragic Event of October 21, 1966

On the morning of October 21, 1966, during the final lesson of the day, American planes suddenly appeared. Teacher Xuân immediately ordered the class to halt the lesson and urgently descend into the bomb shelter. As the students rushed to the shelter, she and two female students were the last to follow. Tragically, the bomb struck, killing all 30 students and Teacher Xuân. Among the deceased students, 12 were girls. The classroom, once vibrant with life, became a site of eternal sorrow.

The Unique Design of the Memorial Site

The "Khu tưởng niệm 21 tháng 10" is distinct from other cemeteries across the country. The memorial monument is designed to resemble a pen poised over an open book, symbolizing education. Above the pen, a flame is shaped like two crescent moons. At the base of the pen is an incense burner, representing an inkwell, and below that, a red student scarf. The monument is built with 14 steps, and 14 flower beds, symbolizing the ages of the students who perished, ranging from 13 to 16 years old.

The grave of the fallen teacher, Bùi Thị Thanh Xuân, is positioned at the very top and center. The 30 graves of the students are arranged as if they are still seated, listening to their teacher's lesson. Teacher Xuân was only 24 years old and pregnant with her second child at the time of her death. When her body was recovered after the bombing, she was found in a protective embrace, shielding her students from the falling debris, a testament to her ultimate act of maternal and pedagogical love. The image of her classroom and students is described as a tragic yet radiant film, illuminating courage and the profound bond of teacher-student relationships.

A Survivor's Recollection

One of the students who miraculously survived the bombing, Mr. [Name not explicitly stated in transcript], vividly recalls the final lesson. Teacher Xuân was reciting the poem "Thà đui mà giữ đạo nhà" (Better to be blind than to abandon one's principles) by Nguyễn Đình Chiểu. She used this moment to remind her students to live with conscience, virtue, and responsibility towards others.

Legacy and Continued Education

The memorial site is located adjacent to the school. Today, new generations are growing up in the best possible conditions of peace. Teachers and students are consistently reminded that during the nation's most perilous times, there were educators who, with their conscience and dignity, dedicated their lives entirely to the noble cause of "cultivating people."