The origin of the holiday is March 8. Versions of the International Women's Day

Without which holiday is it difficult to imagine the beginning of spring? Of course, without the 8th of March. The history of the creation of the 8th of March holiday has already been forgotten by many of us. Over time, it lost its social and political significance. Now this day simply symbolizes respect, love and tenderness, which, of course, deserve all the fair sex on the planet: mothers, grandmothers, daughters, wives and sisters.

The origin of the holiday on March 8 is not known to everyone. Most of us only know about the official version. However, there is more than one story of the creation of the 8th of March. And each of them has a right to exist. In which of these versions to believe, everyone decides for himself.

Official version

According to the official version of the USSR, the origin of the holiday on March 8 is associated with a protest march organized by textile workers. Women went out to protest against hard working conditions and low salaries.

It is noteworthy that the newspapers of those years did not publish a single article about such strikes. Later, historians managed to find out that in 1857, March 8 was on Sunday. It may seem strange that women went on strike on a day off.

There is another story. On March 8, Clara Zetkin addressed a women's forum in Copenhagen calling for the establishment of an International Women's Day. The German communist implied that on March 8, women will be able to organize marches and rallies, thus drawing public attention to their own problems. The date was put under the strike of the very textile workers, who in reality never existed.

In the USSR, this holiday came about thanks to Clara Zetkin's friend, the ardent revolutionary Aleksandra Kollontai. So in 1921 in our country the Women's Day first became an official holiday.

Legend of the Jewish queen

The opinions of historians about the origin of Clara Zetkin were divided. Similarly, no one can say whether she was Jewish. Some sources say that Clara was born into a Jewish family. Others claim that her father was a German.

The desire of Clara Zetkin to connect the holiday with the date of March 8 points ambiguously to the fact that it still had Jewish roots, since on March 8 they celebrate the ancient Jewish holiday - Purim.

What other versions of the creation of the 8th of March are? The history of the birth of the holiday can be connected with the history of the Jewish people. According to legend, the queen Esther, who was the lover of King Xerxes, saved the Jews from extermination with the help of their spells. The Persian king intended to kill all Jews, but the beautiful Esther could convince him not to kill the Jewish people, but, on the contrary, to exterminate all enemies, including the Persians.

Praising the queen, the Jews began to celebrate the feast of Purim. The date of the celebration has always been different and was at the end of February - early March. However, in 1910, this day fell just on March 8.

Women of the ancient profession

According to the third version, the origin of the holiday on March 8 is scandalous and unpleasant for women who are eagerly awaiting this day.

According to some reports, in 1857 the women of New York did organize a protest, but they were not textile workers, but representatives of the oldest profession, who demanded to pay salaries to the sailors who used their services, since the latter could not pay them.

March 8, 1894 women of easy virtue again held a demonstration, but already in Paris. They demanded the recognition of their rights on an equal basis with other hard workers who are engaged in sewing clothes and baking bread, and also asked to organize trade unions for them. Next year, rallies were held in Chicago and New York.

It is noteworthy that Clara Zetkin herself participated in such actions. For example, in 1910, she and her friend, Rosa Luxemburg, brought prostitutes to the streets of Germany with the demand to stop police brutality. In the Soviet version, public women had to be replaced by "working people".

Why was it implemented on March 8?

The history of the international women's day in Russia is of a political nature. March 8 is in essence a normal political company conducted by the Social Democrats. At the beginning of the 20th century, European women actively protested to attract public attention. To do this, they took to the streets with placards propagating socialist appeals. The leaders of the Social-Democratic Party enjoyed this, since progressive women were in solidarity with the party.

This is probably why Stalin ordered the recognition of the 8th of March Women's Day. Because it was impossible to connect the date with the historical events, we had to correct the history a little. If the leader said - it was necessary to carry out.

Women from Venus

Traditions associated with the International Women's Day, no less interesting than the origin of the holiday on March 8. For example, on this day it is customary to put on purple tapes.

And this is not surprising, because this color personifies Venus, who is considered the patroness of all women. That's why all the famous ladies (politicians, teachers, medical workers, journalists, actresses and athletes) wear violet ribbons when they take part in the events of March 8. As a rule, they take part in political rallies, women's conferences or theatrical performances, fairs and even fashion shows.

Meaning of the holiday

There is no such city where 8 March are not celebrated. The history of the holiday for many personifies the indomitable spirit of women fighting for equality and their social rights. For others, this holiday has long lost its political background and has become an excellent occasion to express love and respect for the beautiful sex.

In this wonderful day the words-congratulations from 8 March always sound. In any organization, company or educational institution, employees are honored, they are given flowers and gifts. Along with this, official events are held in the cities on the 8th of March. A festive concert takes place annually in Moscow in the Kremlin.

How do March 8 in Russia?

On the day of March 8, all women forget about household chores. All work on the house (cleaning, cooking, washing) is postponed. Often, men take on all the worries, so that once a year they will feel the complexity of doing the daily affairs with which our women cope. On this day, each fair sex representative should hear congratulations on March 8.

This holiday does not cease to be the most long-awaited for all women. On March 8, it is customary to congratulate not only close people, but also colleagues, neighbors, store employees, doctors and teachers.

Do not skimp on warm words on this wonderful day. After all, without women, life on Earth would no longer exist!