International Women`s Day

International Women’s Day

There are many holidays in our country: International Women’s Day is one of them .

  It is a good tradition in our country to give presents and flowers to women on this day.

Each family celebrates this spring holiday. In the morning men go to the shops or markets to buy some flowers. They try to clean flats and help women to cook a holiday dinner. Sons and daughters help their mothers too: they make a cake, lay the table and wash dishes after holiday dinner.

All the members of the families try to be well-dressed on this day .

Some families  invite guests and celebrate at home and others go to the theatres and concerts.

There is almost the same holiday in England. It is called Mothers' Day. It is also celebrated in spring. Sons and daughters come and give gifts to their mothers on this day.

Mimosa

This flower was used for the first time in 1946 in Italy.

It was chosen by Udi (union of Italian women)

They chose the Mimosa because of its yellow flowers and it was cheap and was in bloom in that time of the year.

Women in history

• In the past, women were subordinate to men. They didn`t take part in the political life or education, they didn`t vote and so on ; all that created a contrast between female and male role.

• For centuries women have been kept indoors, their only role was to tidy the house and to take care of the family.

• But women began to rebel and to claim their rights, as the right to work and vote.

Women today

Nowadays women have more rights than in the past:

• Can vote
• Can study
• Can work
• Can hold a political role

Facts from the history

• International Women's Day originated at an international congress in 1910 in Copenhagen, Denmark. This congress was attended by women from 17 different countries. At that congress, a woman from Germany named Clara Zetkin suggested setting a special date to celebrate each year as an international women’s day. That day women would have an opportunity to hold special events and demonstrations in order to attract public’s attention to their problems.

Later…

• It was proposed to set the date on the 8th of March because it was an anniversary of the famous protest of textile and garment workers in 1857 in New York City.
• Women lived in crowded tenement houses and worked for 16 hours a day. They protested against the terrible working conditions and required a wage raise.
• This story pushed many women to begin to struggle for their political rights, the right to vote and improvement of working conditions.

International Women’s Day is certainly a great holiday! All women feel relaxed and happy on that day!