Happy International Women' Day 2012 from Chinaflower214

A Simplified History of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) began in Europe and America in the early 1800’s.  At that time, in America and other countries, there were great changes as the economy was rapidly developing and becoming more industrialized.  With industrialization, women moved out of their homes and began to work, mostly in factories where conditions were bad and the pay was low.  As a result, women began to form groups to protest the terrible situation of their working places.  They wanted better working conditions and the same salary as men.

On March 8, 1857, women workers in clothing factories in New York City protested for better working conditions, a ten-hour working day and to have equal rights. 

Fifty-one years later, on March 8, 1908, women factory workers and members of the Socialist Party in New York City protested again.  This was in remembrance of the 1857 march, the right of women to vote, and an end to sweatshops and child labor. 

The next year in 1910, the Socialist International Party met in Denmark.  A German socialist named Klara Zetkin asked for a special day for women to be decreed called International Women’s Day  (IWD).  This day was to honor women and their right to be equal with men.  March 8 was chosen as the date.