International Women's Day
Image Credit: Joel Muniz
International Woman's Day is celebrated on 8th March every year. It is a United Nations recognised worldwide event to celebrate women's acheivements no matter their national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political situation or identity.
It is also about campaigning for gender equality and universal sufferage around the globe.
The first National Women's day was celebrated in the USA in 1908, in solidarity with women factory workers who were striking over working conditions.
Women's Days were celebrated on various different dates across Europe, during the early part of the 20th century. After World War II there began to be more International Woman's Day celebrations held on March 8th.
Image Credit: Joel Muniz
In 1975 the United Nations began celebrating the day, and in 1977 adopted 8th March as an International United Nations Day.
Whilst International Women's Day is not widely celebrated in the UK, it is a national holiday in almost 30 countries, mainly in Eastern Europe and Africa.
Across most of Eastern Europe International Women's Day is also celebrated as Mother's Day.
UN International Women's Day Websites
You can find out much more about this day from the following websites.
International Women's Day Website is where you can find out about the theme for each year and events taking place to celebrate 8th March.
International Women's Day on the UN Website is where you can also foind out more about this year's campaign as well as more about the history of International Woman's Day.
UN Women Website covers all the United Nations campaigns to promote equality and fight prejudice and discrimination against women around the world.
You can teach your kids about some amazing women this International Women's Day with these 10 childrens books about courageous, strong and brilliant women.
Encourage everyone to appreciate women's contribution to the world with this International Women's Day Wordsearch.