International Women's Day
Next: March 8, 2027
Flowers for the women who shape us.
The story
Where it comes from
International Women's Day grew out of the labour movements of North America and Europe at the start of the twentieth century. In 1910 the Socialist International, meeting in Copenhagen, agreed on a women's day that would be international in character, and the first celebrations followed on 19 March 1911. A women's strike for 'bread and peace' in Russia, which began on 8 March 1917 by the Gregorian calendar, helped fix the date. The United Nations began celebrating the day in 1975, International Women's Year, and the General Assembly recognised it in 1977.
How it's celebrated
It is a day to celebrate the women in your life and what women everywhere achieve. In Vietnam it is one of the busiest days of the year for florists, as sons, husbands and colleagues bring flowers and gifts to mothers, wives and co-workers. In China it is a favourite day for flowers and cards, and many women get the afternoon off. Italians give sprigs of yellow mimosa, and schools, companies and cities hold talks, awards and festivals.
Did you know
- China's national holiday rules give women half a day off on 8 March, one of only a few holidays kept for part of the population.
- Vietnam celebrates women twice a year: on 8 March, and again on 20 October, Vietnamese Women's Day.
- Italy's mimosa dates from 8 March 1946, when the Union of Italian Women chose it because it grew wild around Rome and cost nothing to pick.
The greeting
Happy Women's Day · Chúc mừng ngày Quốc tế Phụ nữ
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