Russian Holidays

This holiday was originally dedicated to the struggle by women for their rights. It began as a protest in New York in 1908 that saw some 15,000 women march through New York city demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. However, over the years, it has almost lost its feminist overtones, becoming a simple celebration. On this day mothers , wifes and daughters, and female co-workers are given flowers and gifts. This holiday was celebrated for the first time in 1913. In 1910, at an International convention for Working Women, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, Clara Zetkin (a leader of the Working Women movement), proposed an international day to unite the struggle for equality for women. The following year, the first official day was held on the 19th of March in in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. 

International Women's Day is officially celebrated around the world on the 8th of March.