International Women's Day began more than a century ago

International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries all over the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements regardless of national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political. From those early days, International Women's Day has taken on a new global significance for women in both rich and poor nations.

In fact, International Women's Day started with a protest that took place in New York City in 1908. This day was determined by the Socialist Party of America to honor the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York, in which women protested poor working conditions. The event, organized by members of the Socialist Party of America, included a march and protest, as well as hundreds of inspirational speeches by notable female leaders, including Labor Party organizer Leonora O'Reilly and famed writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Thousands of demonstrators attended various events around the city, uniting the crowds around one consistent message and theme: women deserve full equality with men.

The event in New York was a huge success, and by 1911, Women's Day celebrations had extended to Europe, with observances in both London and Paris. By 1917, women in Russia had begun to mark the day with their own demonstrations and assemblies, led by feminist Alexandra Kollontai. In fact, Vladimir Lenin (the founder of the Russian Communist Party) went so far as to make Women's Day an official Soviet holiday. Spain and China quickly followed, and by the 1970s, International Women's Day had become a truly global phenomenon.