Strength, celebration, equality, achievements—these and other positive themes are the highlights of today, March 8, which marks International Women’s Day.
But what sparked the day? Spotlight on.
Let’s have a quick peek into history and see when this day was first celebrated. Maybe we can feel gratitude for the people who took the initiative and fought for womankind (pun intended).
When Was It First Celebrated?
International Women’s Day wasn’t created by just one group. People began taking the initiative as early as 1908, but it took over six decades later until the United Nations officially declared it as an international day.
Let’s break the history down.
1908
In 1908, many women were upset about how they were treated unfairly and wanted to improve their situation. Over 10,000 social female workers marched in New York City, asking for less work time, fairer pay, and the right to vote—that was the beginning.
1909
A year later, the Socialist Party of America declared February 23 the first National Woman’s Day in the United States. It’s worth noting that women continued to celebrate it on the last Sunday of February until 1913.
1910
In 1910, in Copenhagen, Denmark, a woman named Clara Zetkin from Germany suggested an idea: to have a special day every year where women all over the world could speak up for what they needed.
Everyone at the meeting liked the idea, so they agreed to celebrate International Women’s Day every year. This was when it was born.
1911
Following that, International Women’s Day was first celebrated on March 19 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with over a million people rallying for women’s rights.
Shortly after in the same year, the tragic ‘Triangle Fire’ in New York City that took the lives of over 100 women highlighted poor working conditions, sparking further calls for change. This incident marked a pivotal moment in the fight for women’s rights worldwide.
1913-1914
Before World War I, Russian women marked their first International Women’s Day on February 23 (the last Sunday of the month). Later, it was decided to celebrate the day annually on March 8.
In 1914, specifically in London, there was a march for women’s suffrage on March 8.
1917
During World War I, Russian women went on strike for “Bread and Peace” due to the high death toll of Russian soldiers. Despite opposition, they continued for four days until the government stepped down and women gained the right to vote.
This strike started on February 23 in Russia, which corresponds to March 8 on other calendars.
So, When Did the UN Officialize the Day?
After decades of strikes, oppression, and vocalizing their rights, the United Nations (UN) celebrated International Women’s Day for the first time in 1975.
In 1997, the UN introduced its first yearly theme for International Women’s Day, “Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future.”
Later, they focused on other topics, like “Women at the Peace Table” in 1997, “Women and Human Rights” in 1998, and “World Free of Violence Against Women” in 1999, continuing this pattern annually.
This year’s theme is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.”
Here’s to Strong Women
Rooting back over a century, this overview of history teaches that with courage and determination, you can really have your own day, just as women did years ago!
Here’s to celebrating their strength!
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