Women's Day: Celebration History

 In Poland, it is associated primarily with the ideology of the People's Republic of Poland and red carnations. In fact, however, the history of this holiday is completely different.

Women's Day is a holiday celebrated on March 8, which has over a hundred years of history. Each country has its own symbols, but one thing is common - a tribute to the victims of the fight for women's equality.

In order to better understand the nature of this holiday, you need to move "in time" to 1901. At that time, the Socialist Party of America was founded in the United States, which, thanks to its openness to many social groups, gained the support of many citizens. A few years later, on March 8, 1908, a protest took place during which nearly 15,000 workers in the clothing industry demanded economic and political rights for women. To commemorate this protest, the party organized a demonstration on February 28, 1909. The procession was also a reminder of the women's strike in a cotton factory that took place in 1857. The idea of a day when women could fight together for their rights appealed to others socialist groups.

In 1910, in Copenhagen, during the International Congress of Socialist Women, the World Women's Day was established. One of the founding mothers was Klara Zetkin, a German communist and feminist, strongly involved in international activities. In turn, the first Christmas parades were associated not only with discrimination against women but also with war demonstrations. On March 8, 1917, a joint manifestation of feminists and communists under the slogan "bread and peace" took place in St. Petersburg. Four days later, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, and one of the first decisions of the Provisional Government was to grant women the right to vote.

Today, Women's Day is celebrated by women from countries such as Albania, China, Belarus, the USA, Russia, and Poland. The date of March 8 is important for many women who identify with the actions of their great-grandmothers for equality. There are still many places in the world where women are treated differently than men, simply because they are women.

In Poland, Women's Day is mainly associated with the period of the People's Republic of Poland. We didn't have such a strong women's movement before, the struggle for independence was more important. When our country regained it after World War I, women remembered their rights. They asked Józef Piłsudski to grant them various privileges – the marshal finally gave in under pressure from his wife and other feminists.

IN ITALY

The grand celebration of Women's Day heralds the posters, advertisements, and leaflets that appeared a few days earlier. On this day, Italian women not only receive gifts from men but also give them to each other. The femininity festival is celebrated in sunny Italy with bouquets of flowers and, of course, excellent wine.

IN RUSSIA

Women's Day is a non-working holiday, established in Lenin's times. Although the Soviet Union has long since ceased to exist, this custom has survived the fall of the regime and has been celebrated in a consistently grand manner for years. Traditionally, on this day, ladies receive silver acacia twigs and drink champagne.

IN CHINA

women on the occasion of their holiday have half a day off. In addition, in most stores, they can count on attractive offers and many discounts. Women's Day in the Middle Kingdom is therefore also a day of shopping madness.

IN ROMANIA

March 8 is also Mother's Day, so this day is celebrated with great pomp. Interestingly, Romanian women celebrate among themselves, organizing numerous meetings, dinners, and parties to which men are not allowed.

ON THE BRITISH ISLANDS

Every year on Women's Day, many lectures and conferences are held on the history of women's equality and the profiles of outstanding heroines. It is a day of education and spreading knowledge about the role of women in the modern world. Women's Day in Great Britain is celebrated on March 10.

When Women's Day began to be celebrated in Poland, carnations became one of the most popular symbols. Typical gifts were also towels, kitchen clothes and perfumes. It had to be photographed, which of course was part of the party's propaganda.

After 1989, Women's Day lost its communist overtones. The tradition has survived, but the holiday is celebrated in a much more favorable atmosphere, without political references. Every year on March 8, women receive flowers, gifts, and wishes from men. Carnations are still an extremely popular flower, although tulips and red roses also reign next to them.

However, every country is a custom. In other countries, for example in Italy, women receive sprigs of silver acacia instead of a flower. Women in Russia receive a similar gift. In turn, in Tunisia, the holiday is celebrated not on March 8, but on August 13, in honor of the changes that took place there in 1956. It was then that polygamy was banned and women were allowed to vote.