The holiday of March 8 is associated with each of us with spring, flowers, beauty and tenderness. But few people know that initially this date had a political connotation, as it is the day when revolutionaries announced their intention to fight for the rights of women around the world. How it was? How did the holiday of March 8 come about? We will talk about this in this article.
How it all began?
In the distant 1857 in the city of New York, toilers of shoe and clothing factories took part in a demonstration. At that time, their working day was full 16 hours a day, and wages were minimal, it did not even correspond to the cost of living. The workers put forward such requirements: a ten-hour working day, improvement of working conditions (dry premises, new equipment), an increase in wages, and the participation of women in election campaigns. And so, on March 8, 1857, hundreds of American toilers went to rallies. This protest march yielded positive results: employers reviewed the requirements for female workers, reduced the working day to 10 hours. In addition, the first trade union organizations arose at many enterprises, headed by representatives of the weaker sex.
Where did the holiday of March 8 come from? We say "Thank you!" for this Clara Zetkin
In 1910, a conference was held in Copenhagen, in which women socialists from many countries participated. Klara Zetkin, in her speech, made a proposal to declare March 8 as International Women's Day. The idea of the holiday was to show the whole world that women are ready and able to fight for their rights. Representatives of many countries supported this proposal. Since then, revolutionary Klara Zetkin is considered the author of the idea of celebrating Women's Day.
The first "swallows"
Literally a year after the conference in Copenhagen, in early spring, women’s day was celebrated in many countries. March 19, 1911 this date was celebrated in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark. More than one million people, both women and men, attended the demonstration. As a result of these events, toilers gained the right not only to participate in election campaigns, but also to occupy leadership positions. In productive activities, their work began to be appreciated and awarded in the same way as the work of men. In 1912, this event was celebrated on May 12.
History of March 8 in Russia
In our country, International Women's Day was celebrated for the first time in 1913. It happened in St. Petersburg. On March 2, scientific readings were held in the building of the Bread Exchange where issues of women's voting rights and maternity support were discussed.
The idea of celebrating this date was brought to Russia by the revolutionary Alexander Kollontai. In our country, she was supported by millions of women who are ready to equal rights with a strong half of humanity.
How did the March 8 holiday appear in our country at such a difficult time for her? In the last days of February 1917, toilers took to the streets of cities for rallies. In their hands were slogans with the words "Bread and Peace." In the same days, Tsar Nicholas II renounced power. The new government, among other promises, guaranteed equal rights to all women and men. This historic event happened on February 23 according to the old style (Julian calendar). According to the new Gregorian calendar, this is March 8th.
The history of the holiday (as a state) dates back to 1918. This day became a day off only in 1965.
Traditions of the celebration of Women's Day under the Soviet Union
On this day, ceremonial meetings were held at all enterprises, where government officials presented a report on the implementation of political programs for women. The best workers at these events were awarded with diplomas, awards and valuable gifts. But over time, March 8 becomes just a women's holiday, losing its political meaning.
International Women's Day in the countries of the former USSR
After the Soviet Union collapsed, they did not stop celebrating March 8th. It remained International Women's Day in such CIS countries as Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Belarus, and Turkmenistan. Mother's Day was called this holiday in Uzbekistan. In Armenia, the date has its name - Motherhood and Beauty Day, it is celebrated in the second month of spring, April 7th.
Women's holiday in other countries: traditions
In continuation of the topic of how the holiday of March 8 appeared, it is interesting to find out how such a day is celebrated in different parts of the world. And the ideas of its implementation are quite unusual. For example, in China, Women's Day is a weekend only for the fair sex. The traditions of this country allow ladies to walk and have fun, and men go to work, and after that they also prepare a festive dinner. In Colombia, on this day, representatives of the strong half of humanity are forbidden to go outside, so as not to spoil the presence of women with their presence. In Italy, young women gather in large companies and walk noisily in entertainment venues without their soul mates, thus demonstrating independence and independence.
How did the holiday of March 8 come about? From the article you learned that the process of the emergence of International Women's Day was very difficult. But thanks to the courage and strength of women workers, we have the opportunity every year in early spring to celebrate a good date, symbolizing, in our understanding, beauty, tenderness and love.