International Women’s Day (IWD) is now celebrated worldwide as a day of empowerment, recognition, and advocacy for women’s rights.
Every year on March 8th, people come together to acknowledge the contributions, struggles, and achievements of women across all fields. But how did it all begin?
The history of Women’s Day isn’t just about flowers and social media posts—it’s rooted in activism, protests, and the relentless fight for gender equality.
The Origins: The Fight for Women’s Rights in the Early 1900s
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were turbulent times. The world was undergoing massive industrialization, and with it came social changes that exposed deep inequalities—especially for women.
Most women were working long hours in factories under terrible conditions while earning far less than their male counterparts. They had little to no legal rights, couldn’t vote in most countries, and were expected to accept their second-class status without question.
But the tide was turning. Women, particularly in the United States and Europe, began organizing themselves and demanding change. They wanted better working conditions, higher wages, and most importantly—the right to vote.
This was the era of the women’s suffrage movement, and it laid the foundation for what would later become International Women’s Day.
1908: The First Sparks of Protest
The first major event linked to Women’s Day happened in New York City in 1908.
That year, around 15,000 women marched through the streets demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and voting rights.
This was a bold move at the time, as women were expected to remain silent and submissive.
These protesters, however, had had enough of being ignored. They wanted their voices heard, and this march signaled the beginning of a global movement.
Inspired by the success of this protest, the Socialist Party of America declared National Women’s Day in 1909.
It was first observed on February 28, marking the start of a formal day dedicated to women’s rights. But this was only the beginning—the movement was about to gain worldwide momentum.
1910: The Birth of International Women’s Day
A year later, in 1910, an international conference of working women was held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
This event, known as the Second International Socialist Women’s Congress, brought together over 100 women from 17 different countries to discuss women’s labor rights and social equality.
It was here that Clara Zetkin, a German activist and women’s rights advocate, proposed the idea of a global Women’s Day.
Zetkin argued that having a dedicated day for women’s rights would help bring attention to their struggles and push for real political change.
The idea was met with overwhelming support, and the conference agreed that Women’s Day should be recognized internationally. However, no specific date was set just yet.
1911: The First Official International Women’s Day
The following year, March 19, 1911, became the first-ever International Women’s Day, with celebrations taking place in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. More than one million people took part in rallies demanding voting rights, workplace equality, and an end to gender discrimination.
Sadly, just a few days later, a tragic event highlighted exactly why women were fighting so hard for labor rights.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City k!lled over 140 female garment workers, many of whom were locked inside the factory with no escape.
This devastating incident further fueled the fight for better working conditions and added urgency to the movement.
1913–1917: The Russian Revolution and Women’s Day Becomes March 8
In 1913, International Women’s Day was moved to March 8, the date we recognize today.
Around this time, the movement was gaining even more momentum, especially in Russia, where women were fighting against war, oppression, and unfair labor conditions.
By 1917, Russian women had reached a breaking point. On March 8, thousands of them took to the streets of Petrograd (modern-day St. Petersburg) in protest, demanding “bread and peace.”
Their protest helped spark the Russian Revolution, which eventually led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the granting of voting rights to Russian women.
This was a huge victory, and from that moment on, March 8 was officially recognized as International Women’s Day.
The Mid-20th Century: A Global Movement Expands
For a while, International Women’s Day was mainly observed in socialist and communist countries, particularly in the Soviet Union and China.
Western nations were slower to embrace it, but the women’s liberation movement of the 1960s and 1970s changed everything.
During this time, women across the world were pushing for equal pay, reproductive rights, legal protections, and an end to sexism.
International Women’s Day became a rallying point for feminists, and more countries started officially recognizing it. By the late 20th century, the day had transformed from a socialist holiday into a global celebration of women’s rights.
1975: The United Nations Officially Recognizes Women’s Day
The United Nations (UN) took a major step in 1975 by officially recognizing March 8 as International Women’s Day.
That year was also declared International Women’s Year, highlighting the growing importance of gender equality on the world stage.
Since then, the UN has used Women’s Day to highlight specific themes each year—focusing on issues like violence against women, gender pay gaps, and women in leadership.
Governments, businesses, and organizations around the world have joined in, making Women’s Day a recognized occasion in over 100 countries.
Women’s Day Today: Celebration, Protest, and Progress
Today, International Women’s Day is celebrated in many different ways. Some countries treat it as a national holiday, while others use it as a day of protest and activism.
In some places, women receive flowers and gifts, while in others, marches and rallies are held to demand further progress.
Despite the advancements made over the past century, gender equality is still an ongoing battle. Women in many parts of the world still face discrimination, violence, and unequal opportunities.
International Women’s Day serves as both a celebration of past victories and a reminder of the work that still needs to be done.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Day
International Women’s Day isn’t just about recognition—it’s about continuing the fight for equality, respect, and justice.
The movement started with factory workers demanding better conditions, grew into a revolution, and has now become a global platform for women’s rights.
As history shows, progress doesn’t happen by accident—it happens because people stand up, speak out, and refuse to settle for less. That’s what Women’s Day represents. And as long as inequality exists, the fight isn’t over.
