Women’s Day: the story of an unusual holiday
Almost every child knows when it is Women’s Day. However, few people are aware of the long and turbulent history of the world dedicated to the fair sex. In Poland, it is known only since the times of the Polish People’s Republic, but its historical roots date back to ancient Rome. Then the so-called Matronalia falling in the first week of March. These celebrations were associated with the cult of fertility and motherhood, at that time husbands gave their wives gifts. However, contrary to the name, this holiday was celebrated not only by married women, but also by women of light manners and slaves.
In Poland, it is associated primarily with the ideology of the People’s Republic of Poland ( PRL) and red carnations. In fact, however, the story of this holiday is completely different.
Women’s Day is a celebration celebrated on March 8 with over a hundred years of history. Each country has its own symbols, but one thing is common – an expression of respect for the victims of the struggle for women’s equality. I grow up in Easter Europe, under the Soviet occupation, and the day of March 8 was always loudly celebrated. By the order of the Communist government, there were always colorful marches and city parades. All female employees were given flowers and thank you notes. I was little, not understanding much of the political system, but I knew that is my brother will always bring me a carnation flowers ( no roses, only Carnations, red or white, but the red were always better). Modern day feminists may see it much different, but since I am not one of them, for me the day has more of the sentimental feel to it. Every year, my brother still calls with best wishes, to appreciate the sister he has, and that is enough for me, without any ideology, old or new.
But, if you are going to understand the holiday, first we have to quickly learn the history.
Revolutionary beginnings
To better understand the nature of this holiday, you need to travel back “in time” to 1901. United States ; Socialist Party of America was just founded. It has opened its door for 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 march also recalled the women’s strike in the cotton factory in 1857. Others liked the idea of a day when women can fight for their rights together.
In the mean time, on thee other side of the Atlantic…
In 1910 in Copenhagen, during the International Congress of Socialist Women, Worldwide Women’s Day was established. One of the founding mothers was Klara Zetkin, a German communist and feminist, strongly involved in international activities. In fact, the first Christmas parades were related not only to discrimination against women, but also to military demonstrations. On March 8, 1917, a joint demonstration 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.
In 1910, the Socialist International in Copenhagen established the Worldwide Women’s Day, which was to promote the idea of women’s rights and build social support for universal suffrage for women. Over 100 participants from 17 countries took part in the conference, including three women elected to the Finnish Parliament for the first time. The establishment of Women’s Day was adopted by an anonymous vote, without setting the exact date of its celebration
On March 19, 1911, International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Women’s rights to vote and to public office, women’s rights to work and vocational training, and an end to discrimination in the workplace were called for. On March 25 this year, many workers died in the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory
In 1913 and 1914, anti-war demonstrations took place during International Women’s Day. On this day, the holiday was celebrated for the first time in Russia. Rallies were held there on the last Sunday of February according to the Julian calendar. Women’s Day was also celebrated in other countries.
Women’s Day in Poland after World War II was called a public holiday and for a long time had the mark of a red carnation and tights. In factories, ladies were given cloths, soap and coffee. In 1993, the holiday lost its national rank. However, despite this, it is still celebrated and it does not lose its popularity from year to year. Nowadays, numerous happenings, manifestos and lectures related to equal rights are often held. Polish women are also eager to take part in events dedicated to the fair sex. On the other hand, men give gifts close to their hearts with gifts that are much more sophisticated than during the communist era. Poems, jewelry and flowers dedicated to ladies are very popular.
Women’s Day today
- Women’s Day is currently an official holiday in Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Laos, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Italy, Zambia and Tunisia [footnote needed]. Men then give flowers and small gifts to women they know – mothers, wives, partners and friends. In some countries (such as Romania), this day is equivalent to Mother’s Day, where children offer small gifts to their mothers and grandmothers.
- In Armenia, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the celebration of International Women’s Day was abandoned. Instead, on April 7, the celebration of Beauty and Motherhood was introduced. The new holiday has become popular among Armenians and is celebrated as a commemoration of one of the main holidays of the Armenian Church, the Annunciation. However, people also celebrate on March 8. The public discussion on the two Women’s Days resulted in the Women’s Month, which runs between March 8 and April 7.
- In Italy, women are gifted with silver acacia sprigs . Silvery acacia and chocolate are also the most common gifts in Russia.
- In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Brazil, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, Moldova, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia and Hungary, women most often get flowers. Sometimes employers also give their employees gifts. Often gifted by their students, they become teachers.
- In Portugal and Romania, groups of women often celebrate the night of March 8 at lunches and “ladies only” parties.
- In Poland, Women’s Day is associated mainly with the communist period. Previously, we did not have such a strong women’s movement, the fight 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 succumbed to pressure from his wife and other feminists.
- In Russia Women’s Day is a holiday free from work, established in the days of Lenin. Though the Soviet Union has long been non-existent, this custom has survived the regime’s collapse and has been celebrated in an invariably grandiose manner for years. Traditionally, on this day, ladies receive silver acacia sprigs and drink champagne.
- In Tunisia, Women’s Day is celebrated on August 13
- In China on the occasion of their holiday, women have half a day off. In addition, most stores can count on attractive offers and many discounts. The Women’s Day in the Middle Kingdom is therefore also a day of shopping madness.
- On The British Islands Every year, on the Women’s Day, many lectures and conferences are held on the history of equality between women and the profiles of outstanding heroines. It is a day of education and dissemination of knowledge about the role of women in the modern world. Women’s Day in Great Britain is celebrated … on March 10.
The variety of celebrating this day depends on the country. This is one of the great reasons to systematically learn English online and find out in person what International Women’s Day is like from people in other countries.
Flowers for Women’s Day
Today, Women’s Day is celebrated by the inhabitants of such countries 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. In many places around the world, women are still treated differently from men. But based on the natural order of things, when we both are different and have different roles to fulfill, sometimes the race for the same treatment is just wrong.
When Poland’s Women’s Day began to be celebrated, carnations became one of the most popular symbols. Also typical gifts were towels, kitchen towels and perfumes. It was absolutely necessary to capture this in a photo, which was obviously part of the propaganda reinforced by the party.
After 1989, Women’s Day lost its communist tone. The tradition has survived, but the holiday is celebrated in a much more favorable atmosphere, without political references. Every year on March 8, ladies receive flowers, gifts and wishes from men. Carnations are still an extremely popular flower, although tulips and red roses dominate alongside them.
At the end of the Day, its is a special holiday to celebrate all woman, for all that they are. Happy Women’s Day to all of my friends, to all mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, all single ladies..
