International Women's Day (IWD) occurs on 8 March annually and is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world.

International Women's Day (IWD) occurs on 8 March annually and is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. The first IWD was held on 19 March 1911 in Germany, Austria, Denmark and other European countries. German women chose this day because on this date in 1848 the Prussian king, faced with an armed uprising, had promised many reforms, including an unfulfilled one of votes for women.

In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to beobservedon any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. For the United Nations, International Women's Day has been observed on 8 March since 1975. The Day is traditionally marked with a message from the Secretary-General.

IWD today is an opportunity for women to come together and look back on a rich history of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development and to support this work in the present and future.

 The symbolic meaning of IWD

For the women of the world, the Day's symbolism has a wider meaning: It is an occasion to review how far the women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change.

 The reason why the UN dedicates a day exclusively to the celebration of the world's women

In adopting its resolution on the observance of Women's Day, the General Assembly cited two reasons: to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.

  A brief chronology of the most important events:

1909
In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day was observed across the United States on 28 February. Women continued to celebrate it on the last Sunday of that month through 1913.