A large gathering was held in Iran's capital Tehran on Monday to mourn the children killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on a girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran's southern province of Hormozgan, on Feb. 28, the first day of the war.
At least 175 people were killed in the U.S.-Israeli attack which hit the school three times, causing a roof collapse. Over 100 of the victims were school children.
Nearly 40 days later, emotions remain raw on Tehran's streets. Through calligraphy, prayer and quiet tears, Iranians gathered on Monday to honor the young lives lost, expressing both grief and anger.
"I am writing the names of the martyrs of Minab in handwritten calligraphy. I am a mother and a teacher. I really understand them," said Maryam, a Tehran resident.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran could be "taken out" in one night if it fails to reach a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz before the deadline he set, which is 20:00 Eastern Time Tuesday.
Iran has vowed not to be swayed by such deadlines in defending their country, dismissing the deadlines as an expression of "criminal intent" by those who propose them.
Iranians continue to grieve nearly 40 days after Minab elementary school attack
The alignment of the Qingming Festival holiday with the first-ever spring break for primary and secondary school students in multiple regions in China created a six-day vacation from April 1 to 6, boosting parent-child tours and relevant consumption.
Several Chinese provinces including Sichuan, Jiangsu and Anhui introduced their first-ever spring break for primary and secondary schools on April 1 to 3, exactly before the Qingming Festival holiday from April 4 to 6, allowing the students to enjoy a six-day vacation, which effectively enhanced travel demands.
Data from an online travel platform showed that from April 1 to 6, the volume of searches on "outdoor study tours for children" grew by nearly two times year on year. And during the April 1-6 period, bookings from Nanjing City of east China's Jiangsu Province for parent-child homestays increased by over 10 times from the same period last year, and the bookings from Chengdu City in southwest China's Sichuan Province rose by over seven times.
Local governments rolled out a wide range of educational and cultural programs for the students.
In Qufu City, the hometown of Confucius in east China's Shandong Province, kids, guided by teachers, held ceremonies and activities honoring the ancient philosopher.
Students also joined cultural activities at the Yinxu (Yin Ruins) Museum in Anyang City of central China's Henan Province.
The 3,300-year-old Yin Ruins, confirmed as the capital site of the late Shang (Yin) Dynasty (1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.), was added to the World Heritage List in 2006 by UNESCO.
The idea of spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary schools first emerged in Hangzhou, capital city of Zhejiang Province. As early as 2004, the city took the lead in piloting the system, which was later expanded across the province.
Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, fell on April 5 this year. It is a traditional Chinese festival for people to pay tribute to the dead and worship their ancestors. The holiday also provides a short break for people looking to engage in outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Alignment of first spring break with Qingming holiday boosts parent-child tours
