International Women's Day (IWD) occurs on 8 March annually and is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world.

The first IWD was held on 19 March 1911 in Germany, Austria, Denmark and other European countries. German women chose this day because on this date in 1848 the Prussian king, faced with an armed uprising, had promised many reforms, including an unfulfilled one of votes for women.

In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day.

Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.

For the United Nations, International Women's Day has been observed on 8 March since 1975. The Day is traditionally marked with a message from the Secretary-General.

IWD today is an opportunity for women to come together and look back on a rich history of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development and to support this work in the present and future.

The symbolic meaning of IWD

For the women of the world, the Day's symbolism has a wider meaning: It is an occasion to review how far the women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change.

The reason why the UN dedicates a day exclusively to the celebration of the world's women

In adopting its resolution on the observance of Women's Day, the General Assembly cited two reasons: to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.

Bread & Roses

In 1908, the socialist women in the United States initiated the first national Women's Day when large demonstrations took place calling for the vote and the political and economic rights of women.

During a parade through Lawrence, a group of women workers carried banners proclaiming"Bread and Roses, symbolizing their demands for not only a living wage but a decent and human life. The banner has later inspired James Oppenheim’s song "Bread and Roses".

"As we go marching marching in the beauty of the day
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lots gray
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses
For the people hear us singing: bread & roses, bread & roses!

As we go marching, marching, we battle too for men
For they are women's children & we mother them again
(For men can ne'er be free til our slavery's at an end)
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes
Hearts starve as well as bodies, give us bread but give us roses


As we go marching, marching, unnumbered women dead
Go crying thru our singing their ancient call for bread
Small art & love & beauty their drudging spirits knew
Yes it is bread we fight for, but we fight for roses too

As we go marching, marching, we bring the greater days
The rising of the women means the rising of the race
No more the drudge & idler, ten that toil where one reposes
But a sharing of life's glories - bread & roses, bread & roses!"