What is International Women’s Day? Everything you need to know for March 8th

Mark your calendars: International Women’s Day is on March 8th. Last year’s celebration was a big event, with parades and demonstrations across the globe. And while it’s an internationally recognized celebration, you still may have some questions about what it means and why we celebrate — especially because it’s only become a major part of the public consciousness in the last few years.

Luckily, we’ve got everything you need to know about International Women’s Day and why the holiday matters so much.

International Women’s Day was officially adopted by the United Nations in 1975.

However, the day was first recognized way back in 1909 in New York, and it was initially popular throughout socialist movement groups and communist countries, particularly after women gained the right to vote in Soviet Russia in 1917.

It’s a day of celebration.

March 8th is meant to be a day of joy, when we celebrate all the triumphs and successes of women across the globe. Events are held around the world, from marches and rallies to exhibits and demonstrations that celebrate what women have accomplished. It’s also a time to shine light on gender inequality and the struggles so many women still face, like domestic violence and attacks on reproductive rights.

It’s a day of activism.

While women have come so far since the inception of International Women’s Day, there’s still a long way to go — and a lot of work still ahead. On March 8th, people all over the world engage in a variety of activism and answer the call to action. For example, last year, many women vowed to only make purchases from businesses run by women and minorities for the day, and others refrained from purchasing anything at all to show the world what a “day without women” could do to the economy.

We can’t wait for March 8th! Now, excuse us while we go get our posters ready.