March 8 is recognized as International Women's DayDuring the day, but few people know how this holiday appeared. We celebrate it and do not think about the efforts women have made to achieve equality and respect for themselves. And it all began hundreds of years ago, on Matrona Day. It turns out that the history of the March 8 holiday began in Ancient Rome. Then this holiday did not have a specific name, and it was celebrated by noble matrons. At that time, matrons were women who were free in their birth and were married. When the holiday came, husbands gave their wives wonderful gifts and surrounded them with warmth, love and care all day long. Even slaves were freed from their direct duties on this day and could do whatever they wanted. Most often, women living in Rome took out their best outfits, put them on and went to the temple of the Goddess Vesta - the keeper of the family hearth - probably thereby saying thank you to her for this wonderful day.

First strike

But time passed, and patriarchy came back again.Men oppressed women, humiliated them, and infringed on their rights. In the 19th century, women could not hold high-ranking positions, did not have the right to vote, and could not work where they wanted. The fair sex did not want to put up with this, because their grievances had been accumulating for years. And in 1857, on March 8, in New York, women held their first strike. The instigators of the action were textile workers who worked 16 hours a day and received pennies. Women wanted to be able to work the same as men, that is, 10 hours, and for the premises in which they worked to be warm and light. They also demanded that their wages be equal to those received by men. Of all of this, they achieved little, only a ten-hour work shift, but even this was a great victory at that time. In addition to the strike, the fair sex decided to create their own trade union organization, although they had not had such a right before. Hundreds of women went out into the streets with posters and proved to everyone around them that they could have the right to vote and also elect their government, like men. Thus, the history of March 8 gained momentum, and the Socialist Party of America decided that every last Sunday in February would be recognized as Women's Day. But this holiday was celebrated in the country for only 4 years.

The struggle continues

Following this decision at the InternationalWomen's Conference in Copenhagen Clara Zetkin proposed to organize similar American actions rallies annually all over the world. This was not just a proposal, it was a real war cry that sounded so that women all over the world would defend their rights. Many girls responded. The first actions to help the poor appeared, protests for the right to work, some fought for peace throughout the world, and some began to defend their dignity and the honor of those women who regularly suffered domestic violence. The first countries to respond to the celebration of Women's Day were Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. True, everything was celebrated on March 19, but this was already a big plus in the lives of many women. Then for the holiday of March 8, the history of its origin played a big role: it was the strike, that is, a clearly expressed protest, that led to the fact that a new important date appeared in the calendars of girls of that time. Moreover, at that time many women received decent work and rights equal to men. In 1913, Russia celebrated the 8th of March holiday for the first time. Meanwhile, in countries where the government did not approve of the introduction of Women's Day, rallies and strikes were held, and, of course, women carried them out. For example, in England, there were a number of strikes against the tyranny of men and their attitude towards the fair sex. Even London prostitutes went out to rally, demanding better conditions and higher rates. However, in the inveterate bourgeois countries, the 8th of March day never became "international". Apparently, the housewives there were not particularly attracted by the revolutionary struggle and the exchange of cozy, albeit boring, kitchens for exile and hard labor that accompanied this struggle.

Holiday Statements

In 1917, when March 8 was already celebratedconstantly, the history of the holiday also affected such countries as Finland, Iceland and Norway. In these countries, women finally got the right to vote. In 1921, at the second international women's conference, it was decided that March 8 would now be more than just Women's Day. This holiday would also be celebrated as a memory of all those women who were once not afraid to go out into the streets and defend their rights! In 1965, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR approved March 8 as an official holiday. Since then, it has been listed in red on the calendar, and they began to give a day off on this day. Time passed, and gradually the holiday became less and less political, and more and more romantic, and, despite the fact that the Soviet Union collapsed a long time ago, it has not ceased to be celebrated. In addition, March 8 is considered a day off not only in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Angola, Mongolia, Macedonia, China, Congo and Cambodia have joined this tradition. March 8 is Mother's Day in Uzbekistan, and in Armenia this day is recognized as the day of motherhood and the world beauty of women. But International Women's Day in these countries, as well as in Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, was cancelled for unknown reasons. By the way, the most romantic country - France - also does not celebrate March 8, no matter how sad it may sound. They do not believe that this day should be a red day on the calendar, that it is worthy of respect. Many Frenchmen and Frenchwomen generally consider it meaningless.

March 8 in different countries

Despite the fact that March 8 is a day when the history of the holiday itself means a lot, countries around the world have decided to celebrate it in different ways.

• In Italy, this day is not common with men. Women with their companies gather in a cafe and celebrate. By the way, if such a company is in a cafe, entry to men is forbidden!
• In Germany, this holiday also did not gain much momentum. It is not considered to be a day off, and even many women treat him indifferently.
• Vietnam, as well as Russia, celebrates this holiday. He means a lot to them, because he used to be dedicated to sisters who gave their lives for saving the country.
• In Bulgaria this holiday is celebrated, but it is a day offa day is not given for it. Therefore, often in teams where there are women, after lunch there are feasts, and men congratulate their female colleagues.
• In China, this holiday is already lost. Greetings are received only by those women who in their time were revolutionaries. All the rest do not belong to this celebration.
• In Cuba, International Women's Day is a great occasionholiday. The thing is that there was a time when women went "on the warpath" and fought equally with men. That is why on March 8 the fair half of humanity receives congratulations and gifts from everywhere.

In Russia today the holiday is celebrated in the same wayrevered several decades ago. The day off is arranged everywhere, both in state and private organizations. Concerts dedicated to women are very often held. In the mornings, crowds of men stand near flower shops in order to buy the most beautiful bouquets for their beautiful women. The favorite flower of most is mimosa, because it is associated with the beginning of spring. Many men stand at the stove on this day, relieving their beloved women of all worries. They bring breakfast in bed, clean up and prepare a romantic dinner or another surprise. Every Russian woman looks forward to this day to receive not only gifts, but also positive emotions, which are often so lacking throughout the year. On the eve of March 8, you can find a lot of different unique gifts in stores that are dedicated to Women's Day. These are interesting chocolate bars, and many varieties of perfumes, and a variety of sets of dishes, and colorful cards, both with humorous and serious wishes. Congratulations are usually given to all women: colleagues, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, wives, loved ones, and even passers-by. The atmosphere of a holiday is always in the air, and it really feels like spring will soon begin. After all, women are, of course, associated with beauty. And it is already associated with spring. The history of the origin of the holiday on March 8 takes us back to the times when women proved to the whole world what they are capable of. This is the day when girls decided to live a real life, when they became equal and got the right to vote. This holiday should be remembered not as an extra reason to receive or give a gift, but as proof that women are not such a weaker sex! We recommend reading:

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