International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated every year on March 8. It is not just a tradition of giving flowers and social gatherings, but above all a commemoration of the fight for equality, justice and dignity of women. How did the history of IWD develop, why is it celebrated in March and what path has this holiday taken in the Czech environment?

IWD, which was recognized by the United Nations in 1975 as a day of international solidarity for women, is an international holiday that was recognized by the United Nations in 1975 as a day of solidarity for women in the struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. In the Czech Republic, IWD has been an important day since 2004.

Why is International Women’s Day celebrated?

The history of International Women’s Day dates back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and is closely related to women’s struggle for the right to vote and decent working conditions. The often-mentioned protest of New York workers in 1857 was not a legendary event – ​​it really happened. However, some scholarly works state that the claim of a direct and unambiguous connection between this protest and the later creation of International Women’s Day is more problematic.

A real milestone was the demonstration of 15,000 women workers in the textile industry in New York in 1908. They demanded shorter working hours, higher wages, the right to vote and an end to child labor. Their performance became one of the key impulses for further organizing the women’s movement.

In 1909, the American Socialist Party declared National Women’s Day, which was celebrated in February, specifically the last Sunday in February. A year later, at a conference in Copenhagen, the German teacher Clara Zetkin promoted the idea of ​​an international women’s day. The definitive date of March 8 was established after the events of 1917, when Petrograd women workers took to the streets with the slogan “Bread and Peace”. The protests led to political changes and women in Russia gained the right to vote. However, under the conditions of the later Soviet system, elections were not held as a pluralist political competition in the sense of today. It was the events of 1917 that gave March 8 its lasting symbolic significance.

History of International Women’s Day in the Czech context

The history of International Women’s Day in the Czech Republic was from the beginning associated primarily with left-wing political parties. Czech representatives, such as Karla Máchová, participated in international conferences and organized demonstration meetings for women’s suffrage even before the First World War.

After the establishment of Czechoslovakia, the Social Democrats commemorated the so-called March Women’s Days, while the Communists insisted on the name International Women’s Day and only the date of March 8. In the interwar period, the holiday was primarily a political platform for demands for equal rights, protection of maternity, and fair pay at work.

After 1948, International Women’s Day became an official national holiday. The strong symbolism of red carnations, cultural programs, and official speeches by state representatives dates back to this time. The carnation was intended to express respect for women, but it was also strongly associated with the ideology of the communist regime at the time. At the same time, the choice of carnation was also made from an economic perspective – these were flowers that were cheap at the time. Mother’s Day was pushed aside, and International Women’s Day gained a dominant position.

After 1989, the holiday found itself in decline for a while, because it was perceived primarily as a symbol of the previous regime. However, it gradually began to return to its original meaning – as a reminder of equality between women and men, labor rights, and protection from discrimination or violence.

The United Nations played a crucial role, declaring International Women’s Year in 1975 and two years later adopting a resolution calling on member states to designate March 8 as the UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. Most countries confirmed March 8, making International Women’s Day a global holiday.

Interesting facts and symbols of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day also has its own symbols. The colors of International Women’s Day are purple, green, and white.

Purple represents justice and dignity, green represents hope, and white represents purity. These colors were chosen in 1908 by the British Women’s Social and Political Union, which used them as a visual expression of the fight for women’s rights.

The history of International Women’s Day is also associated with the 1911 fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York, which killed 146 people, mostly young women. The investigation into the tragedy highlighted the unsatisfactory and dangerous working conditions in the garment industry and contributed to pressure for labor and safety reforms.

We wish all women, on behalf of Back in Time Prague, the courage to speak their minds, the strength to follow their own path, and the joy of being who they are. Thank you for the daily work that is visible – and for the work that often remains invisible. International Women’s Day is not about the obligatory bouquet. It is about respect. About equality. About recognition.

A tip for men: How to celebrate International Women’s Day in May?

Forget about a quick bouquet from a gas station on the way home from work. Try something extraordinary. Invite her to a festive moment with a view of Prague. Every woman will receive a free glass of prosecco with every order at the Fly Vista restaurant.

And if you want something unconventional, you can spend the whole evening with her at LEVELS over great drinks and a good dose of arcade games.