March 8th is nearly here!
International Women’s Day is annually held on the 8th of March to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations and it is widely celebrated in Russian speaking countries such as:
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Belarus
- Armenia
- Belarus
- Kazakhstan
- Moldova
- Azerbaijan
Background
It’s interesting to know that the holiday originated in New York in 1908 when women went on a strike to demand equal rights, voting rights, shorter hours and better pay. The first National Women’s Day was celebrated on 28th February 1909 following the declaration of Socialist Party of America. Since then and up until 1913, International Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States of America on the last Sunday of February.
In 1913 Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day on the last Saturday in February. Although there were some women-led strikes, marches, and other protests in the years leading up to 1914, none of them happened on March 8. In 1914 International Women’s Day was held on March 8, possibly because that day was a Sunday, and now it is always held on March 8 in all countries.
How March 8th is celebrated in Russia today?
Today the International Women’s Day is a public holiday and is one of the favorite holidays in Russia. Men and women celebrate important women in their lives by giving them flowers and gifts. The most popular flowers to are mimosas and tulips. International Women’s Day is often celebrated among family or friends with a festive meal and drinks.
All women give and receive a lot of attention on this day. They celebrate their friends, mothers, sisters and grandmothers just as men. Even something as small as an e-mail, Facebook post or a card is appreciated (and often even expected) among friends and family. More expensive or complex gifts are exchanged between people who have a close relationship. Many men also take over the housework on this day as a token of their appreciation.
Women’s Day in Russia is as important, if not more important, than Mother’s Day elsewhere – it is even a recognized public holiday, so many workers get the day off.
Don’t forget to wish a Happy March 8th to the women you met online! Surprise them by saying it in Russian: “S vos’mym Marta!” (Happy March 8th!)