Wed Mar 05 02:40:00 UTC 2025: ## UN Declares March 8th International Women’s Day: A Century of Struggle for Equality

**New York, NY** – International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8th, boasts a rich history rooted in the fight for women’s rights and equality. While the United Nations officially designated March 8th as IWD in 1977, its origins trace back much further.

The first National Women’s Day in the US was observed in 1909, spurred by the 1908 New York garment workers’ strike, where 15,000 women marched for better working conditions, higher wages, and suffrage. This event, part of the First Wave of Feminism, is often cited as a key origin point. However, some argue that this focus overlooks parallel feminist movements in other countries, particularly the Soviet Union.

The concept of a global IWD emerged in 1910 at the Second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. Clara Zetkin, a German socialist, proposed the day to unite women’s demands for equal rights worldwide. The following year, over a million people participated in IWD rallies across Europe.

The date of March 8th is linked to Russian history. Women’s protests against World War I in 1913 (February 23rd under the Julian calendar) and subsequent protests in 1917, which contributed to the Russian Revolution and women gaining suffrage, cemented the date’s significance.

The fight for women’s suffrage and equality continued for decades, culminating in the 19th Amendment in the US (granting white women the right to vote), and further progress with the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

In 2011, President Obama declared March as Women’s History Month, recognizing the centennial of IWD. He emphasized the ongoing need for gender equality, stating that while significant strides have been made, true parity remains a distant goal.

From its labor-protest roots to its current status as a global celebration, IWD continues to serve as a powerful symbol of the ongoing struggle for gender equality, empowerment, and social justice worldwide.

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