Brief History
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
The purpose of International Women's Day is to bring attention to the social,
political, economic, and cultural issues that women face, and to advocate for
the advance of women within all those areas. As the organizers of the
celebration state, "Through purposeful collaboration, we can help women
advance and unleash the limitless potential offered to economies the world
over." The day is often also used to recognize women who've made
significant contributions to the advancement of their gender.
International Women's Day was first celebrated on March 19 (not the later
March 8), 1911. A million women and men rallied in support of women's rights
on that first International Women's Day.
The idea of an International Women's Day was inspired by America's National
Women's Day, February 28, 1909, declared by the Socialist Party of America.
The next year, the Socialist International met in Denmark and delegates
approved the idea of an International Women's Day. And so the next year, the
first International Women's Day — or as it was first called, International
Working Women's Day — was celebrated with rallies in Denmark, Germany,
Switzerland, and Austria. Celebrations often included marches and other
demonstrations.
Not even a week after the first International Women's Day, the Triangle
Shirtwaist Factory Fire killed 146, mostly young immigrant women, in New
York City. That incident inspired many changes in industrial working
conditions, and the memory of those who died has been often invoked as part
of International Women's Days from that point on.
Especially in early years, International Women's Day was connected with
working women's rights.
For More Information:
https://www.thoughtco.com/international-womens-day-3529400