A Day to Celebrate Women and Their Achievements Everywhere

International Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911, and since 1913, the official date has been March 8. In 1977, the UN General Assembly declared it a day for women’s rights and international peace.

The origins of Women’s Day can be traced back to the beginning of the last century, when political, feminist, and trade union movements fought for one day of the year to be symbolically dedicated to women. In most countries, women’s demands for the expansion of their social and economic rights, the right to vote, and the elimination of discrimination in employment and wages grew stronger at this time.

Photo: Pexels

The first national Women’s Day was held in the United States on the last Sunday in February 1909. In 1910, at the Second International Socialist Women’s Congress in Copenhagen, German Clara Zetkin proposed that Women’s Day be held annually around the world.

Photo: Fortepan / Magyar Rendőr

International Women’s Day was first celebrated on March 8, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

At the demonstrations, which were also attended by many men, women demanded the right to vote. In 1913, the date was finally changed to March 8. One explanation is that it commemorates the 1857 strike by female textile workers in New York, while other sources link it to a factory fire on March 8, 1908, which claimed the lives of 129 female workers.

Photo: Fortepan / Tölg Anna

It was first celebrated in Hungary in 1914.

Since the 1980s, women’s organizations have used this day to draw attention to the decisive role women play in society, as well as their vulnerability, through marches and events. Today, marches are less common, but there are movements that shed light on the current situation of women.

Photo: Fortepan / Bauer Sándor

In Hungary, the day is traditionally marked by giving flowers, especially mimosas, tulips, and roses, as well as small gifts such as chocolates, candles, or handmade cards. Beyond personal celebrations, some cities host concerts, exhibitions, and community events highlighting women’s achievements, combining both cultural recognition and festive acknowledgment.

Photo: Pexels

In many countries, thousands of women demonstrate on International Women’s Day for their social rights and against discrimination. Pay discrimination has been banned in the European Union since 1975, but the wage gap still exists. The EU average is 12.7 percent, while in Hungary, women earn on average 17.8 percent less than men.

Budapest Draws Crowds from Around the World This Valentine’s Day