When did International Women's Day begin?
International Women's Day began in the early 20th century, with its origins rooted in the socialist movements of that time. The impetus for establishing International Women's Day can be traced back to New York City in February 1908, when thousands of women who were garment workers went on strike and marched through the city to protest for better working conditions, shorter hours, and the right to vote. This event inspired the creation of a day dedicated to women's rights and equality.
The first International Women's Day was celebrated on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Over a million women and men attended public events to show their support. In the following years, other countries began to observe and celebrate this day.
Since then, International Women's Day has been commemorated annually on March 8. The United Nations officially recognized and began celebrating International Women's Day in 1975, which had been proclaimed the International Women's Year. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as an official UN holiday for women's rights and world peace. It has since been observed by the UN and many countries around the world, with each year's observance centered on a particular theme or issue within women's rights.
The significance of International Women's Day lies in its role as a global day to recognize and celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness of the progress made towards gender equality, and advocate for women's rights in all its forms. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to achieve gender equality and empower women worldwide.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women's_Day