International Women's day: Why is it celebrated on March 8?

International Women’s Day has descended upon us. It is the day women all around the globe are celebrated for their achievements, strengths and impact on the world. It is a day to acknowledge and honour their rights and progress. 

This year's United Nations (UN) theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress", India Today reported.

The International Women’s Day website has chosen the theme “Inspire Inclusion” to shed light on gender inclusivity.

Google Doodle, this year, features “a group of women sharing wisdom across generations within a quilt embroidered with symbols of progress over the years.”

Sophia Dosy, the creator behind the doodle, said "she hoped the doodle would inspire people to spend more time with people from different generations."

Why do we celebrate Women’s Day on March 8?

The first women’s day, according to the UN, was first celebrated in the United States on February 28, 1909.

With protests initiated by the Socialist Party of America, the day was declared to honour “the 1908 garment workers” who held demonstrations against working conditions.

According to the International Women's Day (IWD) website, some 15,000 women marched across the city that day in support of voting rights, better pay, and fewer work hours.

Later on, in 1913 and 1914, Russian women, who protested for peace before the First World War, began celebrating International Women's Day on February 23, which was later rescheduled to March 8, as per global agreements.