We study interesting historical facts: how there was a holiday on March 8

The holiday of March 8 is associated with each of us with spring, flowers, beauty and tenderness. But very few people know that initially this date had a political connotation, since it is the day when revolutionaries announced their intention to fight for the rights of women all over the world. How it was? How did the holiday appear on March 8? Let's talk about this in this article.

How it all began?

In the distant 1857 in the city of New York on the manifestation came toilers of factories for the production of footwear and clothing. At that time, their working day was a full 16 hours a day, and wages were minimal, it did not even meet the subsistence minimum. Female workers put forward such requirements: a ten-hour working day, improvement of working conditions (dry rooms, new equipment), increase of labor remuneration, participation of women in election campaigns. And so, on March 8, 1857, hundreds of toilers of America came to the rallies. This march of protest gave positive results: employers revised the requirements for women workers, reduced the working day to 10 hours. In addition, at many enterprises, the first trade union organizations emerged, headed by representatives of the weaker sex.

Where did the 8 March holiday come from? We say "Thank you!" For this Clara Zetkin

In 1910, a conference was held in Copenhagen, in which women socialists from many countries took part. Clara Zetkin in her speech made a proposal that the March 8 date be declared the International Women's Day. The idea of the holiday was to show the whole world that women are ready and able to fight for their rights. Representatives of many countries supported this proposal. Since then, the revolutionary Clara Zetkin is considered the author of the idea of celebrating a woman's day.

The first "swallows"

Literally a year after the conference in Copenhagen, early spring, women's day began to be celebrated in many countries. March 19, 1911 this date was celebrated in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark. More than one million people, both women and men, have appeared at the demonstration. As a result of these activities, the workers have achieved the right not only to participate in electoral campaigns, but also to hold managerial positions. In the production activity, their work was valued and rewarded in the same way as the work of men. In 1912, this event was celebrated on May 12.

History of March 8 in Russia

In our country for the first time celebrated the International Women's Day in 1913. It happened in Petersburg. On March 2, in the building of the grain exchange, scientific readings were held, where questions were discussed about the right to vote of women, about the provision of maternity.

In Russia, the idea of celebrating this date was brought by the revolutionary Alexander Kollontai. In our country, it was supported by millions of women, ready to level with the strong half of humanity.

How did the holiday of March 8 in our country appear at such a difficult time for her? In the last days of February 1917 the toilers took to the streets of the cities to rallies. In their hands were slogans with the inscriptions "Bread and Peace." At the same time, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated power. The new government, among other promises, guaranteed equal rights to all women and men. This historic event happened on February 23, according to the old style (the Julian calendar). According to the new timing, the Gregorian, this is March 8.

The history of the origin of the holiday (as a state holiday) has its origin since 1918. This date was only a day off in 1965.

Traditions of the celebration of women's day in the Soviet Union

On that day, solemn meetings were held at all enterprises, where representatives of the government presented an account of the implementation of political programs for women. The best workers at these events were awarded with diplomas, prizes and valuable gifts. But over time, March 8 is just a women's holiday, losing political meaning.

International Women's Day in the countries of the former USSR

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, March 8 did not cease to celebrate. It remained the International Women's Day in such CIS countries as Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Belarus, Turkmenistan. During the day Mother began to call this holiday in Uzbekistan. In Armenia, the date has its name - Motherhood and Beauty Day, celebrated in the second month of spring, April 7.

Women's holiday in other countries: traditions

In the continuation of the topic of how the holiday of March 8 appeared, it is interesting to know how they celebrate such a day in different parts of the world. And the idea of holding it is quite unusual. For example, in China, Women's Day is a weekend only for the fair sex. Traditions of this country allow ladies to walk and have fun, and men go to work, and after that they also prepare a festive dinner. In Colombia on this day, representatives of the strong half of mankind are forbidden to go out on the streets, so as not to spoil their holiday with women. In Italy, young ladies gather in big companies and walk noisily in entertainment establishments without their second half, thus demonstrating independence and independence.

How did the holiday appear on March 8? From the article you learned that the process of the International Women's Day was very difficult. But thanks to the courage and strength of women workers, we have the opportunity every year at the beginning of spring to celebrate a good date, symbolizing, in our understanding, beauty, tenderness and love.