Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated globally to honor the achievements of women across social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. The day also serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing efforts required to achieve gender equality and accelerate progress toward a more inclusive society.
Theme for International Women’s Day 2025
This year, the theme for IWD is “Accelerate Action,” emphasizing the urgent need to fast-track efforts toward gender parity. While millions around the world commemorate this day, many may not be aware of why March 8 was chosen for International Women’s Day. Let’s delve into the historical significance of this date.
Why is International Women’s Day Celebrated on March 8?
The roots of IWD trace back to Russia’s history. On February 23, 1913, women in Russia protested against World War I under the Julian calendar, a date that corresponded to March 8 in the Gregorian calendar used worldwide. This event marked a significant milestone for women’s rights activism.
Another pivotal protest occurred on February 23, 1917, when Russian women took to the streets demanding an end to war, food shortages, and the rule of Czar Nicholas II. According to historian Rochelle Ruthchild, male revolutionaries, including Leon Trotsky, initially dismissed these women-led demonstrations. However, their protests played a crucial role in igniting the Russian Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the czar. Shortly after, a communist regime was established, and Russian women secured the right to vote.
In the United States, however, the journey to voting rights was different. While white women were granted the right to vote in 1920, women of color had to wait until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to gain full voting rights.
How March 8 Became the Official Date for IWD
To recognize the role women played in the 1917 Russian Revolution, Vladimir Lenin, the Russian revolutionary leader, declared March 8 as International Women’s Day. However, IWD celebrations had begun earlier. The first official observance took place on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, and Germany. Meanwhile, the United States had celebrated its first National Women’s Day on February 28, 1909.
Initially, IWD did not have a fixed date and was generally observed in late February or early March. In the U.S., it was marked on the last Sunday of February, while Russia’s first official Women’s Day was held in 1913 on the last Saturday of February (which aligned with March 8 in the Gregorian calendar).
By 1914, Germany celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 for the first time, possibly because the date fell on a Sunday. This observance was primarily focused on advocating for women’s right to vote, which German women ultimately won in 1918.
What Are the Colors of International Women’s Day?
The symbolic colors of International Women’s Day are purple, green, and white:
- Purple represents justice, dignity, and loyalty to the cause.
- Green symbolizes hope.
- White historically stood for purity, though this concept remains a topic of debate.
These colors were originally adopted by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908, reflecting the core values of the women’s rights movement.
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