What is the history of International Women’s Day?
The leader of the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, Clara Zetkin, suggested a celebration in every country on the same day for women to “press for their demands.” This Women’s Day was first observed on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Campaigns across Europe against WWI inspired women in other countries to adopt International Women’s Day.
The date of observance moved to March 8 in 1913. The United Nations celebrated International Women’s Day for the first time in 1975 and started the tradition of an annual theme in 1996, according to the official website.