On this day 83 years ago (4 November 1939) Maria Montessori and Mario Montessori arrived at Adyar, India, having flown from Naples to Madras, where they had been received at the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society. Their coming to Adyar was a colourful occasion; the children of Theosophical schools lined the avenue from the entrance gate of the estate to what was to be her residence for much longer than she expected.

On the very day of her arrival at Adyar, Montessori gave a press conference in which she expressed her happiness at the fulfilment of a long wished visit to India:

where she expected to receive more from this ancient land than she is able to give.