To honor and acknowledge women's achievements in social, economic, cultural, and political fields, international Women's Day is observed on march 8 of each year. This day highlights the continuous advocacy and action activities throughout the world and acts as a call to action for increasing gender parity.
The theme for international Women's Day this year is "Accelerate Action," which highlights how urgent it is to advance gender parity as quickly as possible. Many people are not aware of the significance of march 8th as international Women's Day (IWD) 2025, even though the globe commemorates this day every year. Let's examine why march 8th is designated as Women's Day.
The theme for international Women's Day this year is "Accelerate Action," which highlights how urgent it is to advance gender parity as quickly as possible. Many people are not aware of the significance of march 8th as international Women's Day (IWD) 2025, even though the globe commemorates this day every year. Let's examine why march 8th is designated as Women's Day.
Why is march 8 the only day when Women's Day is observed?
Russian history is the origin of international Women's Day. Under the Julian calendar, Russian women demonstrated against World war I on february 23, 1913 (March 8 in the Gregorian calendar used elsewhere). For Women's Day rallies, this served as a global standard.
On february 23, 1917, there was another demonstration in which Russian women called for an end to the war, food shortages, and Czar Nicholas II's leadership. According to historian Rochelle Ruthchild, these "disobedient women" first irritated male revolutionaries like Leon Trotsky by planning protests ahead of the scheduled May Day (Workers' Day) rallies.
Russian history is the origin of international Women's Day. Under the Julian calendar, Russian women demonstrated against World war I on february 23, 1913 (March 8 in the Gregorian calendar used elsewhere). For Women's Day rallies, this served as a global standard.
On february 23, 1917, there was another demonstration in which Russian women called for an end to the war, food shortages, and Czar Nicholas II's leadership. According to historian Rochelle Ruthchild, these "disobedient women" first irritated male revolutionaries like Leon Trotsky by planning protests ahead of the scheduled May Day (Workers' Day) rallies.
Nonetheless, the Russian Revolution was sparked in part by these demonstrations. The Czar was ousted, a communist government was put in place, and Russian women were granted the right to vote in a matter of days. White women were given the right to vote in the united states in 1920, but women of color would not receive the right until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
How was the date of international Women's Day decided?
Vladimir Lenin, a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist, proclaimed march 8 to be international Women's Day in recognition of women's contributions to the 1917 Russian Revolution. On march 19, 1911, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, and germany celebrated the inaugural international Women's Day. On february 28, 1909, the united states observed its inaugural National Women's Day.
Although there was no official date for IWD at first, it was usually observed in late february or early March. While russia celebrated Women's Day for the first time in 1913 on the last saturday in february (albeit based on the Julian calendar; the date was march 8 in the Gregorian calendar), Americans celebrated it on the last sunday in February.
Vladimir Lenin, a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist, proclaimed march 8 to be international Women's Day in recognition of women's contributions to the 1917 Russian Revolution. On march 19, 1911, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, and germany celebrated the inaugural international Women's Day. On february 28, 1909, the united states observed its inaugural National Women's Day.
Although there was no official date for IWD at first, it was usually observed in late february or early March. While russia celebrated Women's Day for the first time in 1913 on the last saturday in february (albeit based on the Julian calendar; the date was march 8 in the Gregorian calendar), Americans celebrated it on the last sunday in February.
In 1914, international Women's Day was held on march 8 for the first time in germany, possibly because that date was a Sunday. As elsewhere, Germany's observance was dedicated to women's right to vote, which German women did not win until 1918.
Is international Women's Day a holiday?
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, china (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, nepal (for women only), russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and zambia are among the many countries that observe international Women's Day as a national holiday, according to the international Women's Day website. In 2019, a measure to declare international Women's Day a public holiday was accepted by the German parliament in Berlin.
Which colors are associated with international Women's Day?
International Women's Day is marked by the colors purple, green, and white. Justice, dignity, and devotion to the cause are all represented by the color purple. The color green represents hope. Though a contentious idea, white stands for purity. The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the united kingdom was the original source of the colors in 1908.
Which colors are associated with international Women's Day?
International Women's Day is marked by the colors purple, green, and white. Justice, dignity, and devotion to the cause are all represented by the color purple. The color green represents hope. Though a contentious idea, white stands for purity. The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the united kingdom was the original source of the colors in 1908.