March 8, 2023, marks International Women's day: a global holiday to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history regardless of economic, socioeconomic, political, cultural, nationality, religious backgrounds, and much more. 

The first National Women’s Day was set in the U.S. on February 28, where The Socialist Party of America set this date to celebrate the 1908 garment workers in New York, where these women protested against working conditions. 15,000 of these women protested and walked the streets of New York, where they demanded voting rights, shorter hours, and more. The idea of a national celebration of a woman’s day eventually caught the attention of other areas of the world, such as Europe, China, South America, and more. By 2014, International Women’s Day was celebrated in more than 100 countries.

Another demonstration was seen by Alexandra Kollontai, a Russian feminist who led a demonstration that began on February 23, 1917. This demonstration was seen to be a part of Czar Nicholas II resigning or “stepping down” from power after the rest of the Russian government fought with striking workers that demanded socialist reforms. After his forced resignment, the government officially gave women the right to vote.

Officially in 2011 on International Women’s day 100th anniversary, March was additionally set to be Women’s history month in the U.S. This month and March 8 set out to recognize women’s contributions throughout history as well as bring justice to women who weren’t given the recognition they sought and fought for throughout history.

Helpful Sources

Pruitt, Sarah. “The Surprising History of International Women’s Day.” HISTORY, 6 Mar. 2017, https://www.history.com/news/the-surprising-history-of-international-womens-day.