Women’s Day is a holiday celebrated on the 8th of March.

Some sources say it began in ancient times when Romans celebrated fertility and motherhood with their wives, who were gifted with small souvenirs.

Modern Women’s Day was started by the strike on the 8th of March in 1857. Women workers in the needle trades marched through New York City’s Lower East Side to protest child labour and sweatshop working conditions. They were demanding shorter work hours, better pay and voting rights. This event inspired socialist groups to discuss gender equality and women’s rights. Two years later, in Copenhagen, the 8th of March was established as Women’s Day.

In Poland, Women’s Day became popular after World War II. It was a mandatory celebration in all schools and workplaces. Women were gifted with items of everyday use: tights, towels, and coffee. They were also given flowers: carnations and tulips.

International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries: Albania, Bulgaria, Brazil, Russia, France, Portugal, Romania, the United States, Ukraine and Italy to name a few. Interestingly, in Vietnam, Women’s Day is celebrated twice a year.

I’m from Poland so, of course, I couldn’t miss that occasion.