The history of International Women’s Day (IWD) is a long and multifaceted one, rooted in labor movements, socialist activism, and the broader fight for women’s rights. Here’s a breakdown of its key phases:

Early Influences (late 19th century to early 20th century):

• Labor Movements: Women in textile industries and other sectors organize strikes and protests demanding better working conditions, higher wages, and shorter workdays.
• Socialist Movements: Socialist parties in Europe and the US push for women’s suffrage (the right to vote) and greater equality.
• National Woman’s Day (1909): The Socialist Party of America establishes National Woman’s Day in recognition of a 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York City.

Internationalization (1910-1917):

• 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference: Clara Zetkin, a German socialist leader, proposes an annual International Women’s Day for working women across the globe. The idea is unanimously adopted, but with no fixed date set.
• First IWD Celebrations (1911): Over a million women and men attend rallies across Europe on varying dates to support women’s rights.
• The Bread and Roses Strike (1912): The Lawrence Textile strike in Massachusetts draws attention to women’s vital role in the labor movement. “Bread and Roses” becomes a powerful slogan for women’s rights.
• Russian Revolution (1917): Women’s protests on March 8th (February 23rd on the Julian calendar) in Petrograd help spark the Russian Revolution, marking a pivotal moment in IWD’s history.

Global Spread and Formalization (1920s-1970s):

• Official IWD Date: Following the Russian Revolution, IWD is primarily celebrated on March 8th.
• Growing Global Recognition: The day is recognized by communist and socialist movements worldwide.
• United Nations Adoption (1975): The UN officially proclaims International Women’s Day during the International Women’s Year.

Modern Era (1970s – present):

• Feminist Resurgence: The feminist movement of the 70s and 80s brings renewed energy to IWD, emphasizing gender equality and women’s empowerment across all spheres of life.
• Global Celebration: IWD becomes an official holiday in many countries. It’s marked by rallies, conferences, awareness campaigns, and a celebration of women’s achievements.
• Continuing Challenges: While there has been progress, IWD also highlights ongoing struggles for gender equality, from wage gaps to violence against women.

Important notes:

• The history of International Women’s Day is complex, with multiple influences and events shaping its development.
• The date March 8th carries special significance, but the history of the celebration goes beyond a single day.

• International Women’s Day website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/about
• Wikipedia: International Women’s Day https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women%27s_Day