On March 8, 1901, American housewives filled the streets of Chicago with pots and pans turned upside down. They demanded the equalization of political rights, respect for themselves, the opportunity to work in production and serve in the army next to men. Seven years later, feminists repeated their demands, and National Women's Day was proclaimed in the United States.

But the holiday became international only in 1914 at the initiative of Clara Zetkin. At the Women's Conference, she proposed the establishment of a Day of Solidarity for Working Women of the World. But officially the UN approved the holiday only in 1975. In honor of this event, ten years from 1975 to 1985 were proclaimed the International Decade of Women. Now Women's Day is celebrated in more than 30 countries around the world. In most states, no one works on March 8. But, for example, in China, March 8 is a day off only for women, while men continue to work. The fair sex meet with friends, go to cafes and shops. The most beautiful girls participate in the Miss Beijing contest, which is held annually on this day. And in the evening, Chinese men, returning from the office, prepare a traditional dish - the “Pumpkin of Fidelity”. They stuff the pumpkin with pickled tomatoes, grapes, shrimp and pork and bake it.

In France, special charity bazaars are held on March 8, and the money raised is transferred to the fund of heroine mothers. In Italy, women do not rest on holidays, but in the evenings they gather in cafes and restaurants with women's companies. By the way, on this day in Rome, women are allowed into all museums and clubs for free.