1. How did it all start?
Like May 1, March 8 grew out of the labor movement and has American roots.

In 1908, 15,000 women in New York demonstrated for shorter hours, higher wages, and the right to vote (in most states, women gained it in 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed). The following year, the American Socialist Party proposed that the last Sunday in February be Labor Women's Day.

In August 1910, the well-known figure of the German social democracy Clara Zetkin at a conference in Copenhagen proposed to establish an International Day for the Struggle for Women's Equality and Emancipation.

About a hundred participants from 17 countries supported the idea unanimously.

In 1911, it was first celebrated in Germany, Austria-Hungary, Denmark and Switzerland.

2. Why March 8?
The demonstration in New York that started it all took place on 28 February. Clara Zetkin did not name a specific date. The first Women's Day celebration in Germany took place on March 19 to commemorate the March Revolution of 1848 in Prussia. Then Women's Day in different countries was celebrated on March 2, 9 and 12, as well as on May 2 and 12.

The date of March 8 came to the international left movement from Russia. In 1917, on this day (February 23, old style), a strike of workers of weaving factories of the Vyborg side in Petrograd began with the demands of "Bread and Peace!", which grew into a revolution. A week later, the emperor abdicated.

In the early years of Soviet power, Vyborg weavers were widely celebrated as pioneers in the overthrow of tsarism. Subsequently, the February Revolution was in the shadow of the Bolshevik October Revolution, and this circumstance was not emphasized in the USSR.

In 1975, the UN General Assembly proclaimed March 8 as a day to celebrate the achievements of women in all areas of life and protest against remnants of inequality.

3. Do you have its own colors on March 8?
Yes, although in Russia they practically do not know about them. This is purple (or purple), green and white.

They were proposed as a symbol of the struggle for equality of the British Women's Social and Political Union in 1908. The purple marks justice and dignity, green - hope, white - purity.

4. Is there an international male day?
Yes, it is noted on November 19 in more than 80 countries, including the United Kingdom, although it does not have a formal recognition of the UN. At the same time, the emphasis is on strengthening the health of men and their modern role in the family.

In Russia, it is customary to congratulate men and boys on February 23. Officially, this is the day of military personnel and veterans of the armed forces, but in the mass consciousness it is traditionally seen as the day of all men.

5. How do they celebrate March 8 in different countries?
In Ukraine, March 8 is a day off. Gifts and flowers are given to women - on three or four days preceding the holiday, their sales are doubled.

In China, a working day for women lasts four hours instead of eight, but this recommendation of the State Council of the PRC is not a law, and part of the employers should not.

In Italy, women are given to women on March 8. This custom arose in Rome shortly after the Second World War, its source is unknown.

In the USA, March is considered a month of women's history. Every year, the president makes a statement in which he pays tribute to the achievements and contribution of American women.

This year, many events will be in virtual mode due to the pandemic of coronavirus.