March 8th: how to relax in 2025, the history of the holiday, gifts and congratulations

International Women's Day, or March 8, is celebrated in many countries of the world, it is a celebration of common women's solidarity. On this significant day, it is customary to congratulate beloved women: wives, mothers, grandmothers, sisters and girlfriends. In Russia, this day is an official day off and in 2025 falls on a Saturday. For more information about what events preceded the holiday and how we rest in March 2025, see the Izvestia article.

International Women's Day on March 8: the history of the holiday, how we rest in 2025

The history of the holiday is closely connected with the movement for women's equality, which originated in the middle of the last century. Then, on March 8, 1857, in New York, thousands of women marched on the "march of empty pots." Most of the participants worked at a textile factory and protested against harsh working conditions.Despite the fact that the demands of women were not taken into account, the date has forever entered the history of the social movement.

The events were repeated on March 8, 1908, when, at the call of the New York Social Democratic women's organization, a rally was held again with slogans about women's equality. On this day, more than 15,000 female workers marched through the city, demanding shorter working hours and equal pay with men. In addition, there was a demand to grant women the right to vote. This time, the calls were heeded. A year later, National Women's Day appeared on the American calendar for the first time, on February 28. It was announced by the Socialist Party of America, and the holiday was celebrated until 1913.

In 1910, at the International Socialist Conference in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist and feminist, proposed the establishment of International Women's Day. She wanted to draw attention to the problems of women and stimulate their struggle for their rights.However, the date of the holiday was constantly changing and varied from country to country. Somewhere Women's Day was celebrated in February, somewhere in March, it was associated with the New York march, then with the March revolution of 1848.

Today, a significant day is celebrated in 27 countries around the world, including Russia.

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March 8 in Russia: from feminism to Women's Day

In Russia, the celebration of International Women's Day became a tradition immediately after its appearance in 1913. At that time, a "scientific morning on women's issues" was held in St. Petersburg, where they discussed the equality of women and men and the protection of motherhood. However, the introduction of the holiday was influenced by the strike on February 23, 1917, or March 8 according to the Gregorian calendar (new style). On this day, women took to the streets with the slogan "Bread and peace!", which began the February Revolution. The date of March 8 for the Women's Day was set in 1921 by the decision of the 2nd Communist Women's Conference to commemorate the active participation of women in the revolution.

In the Soviet Union, the celebration of Women's Day, amid calls for equality between men and women, turned into a glorification of the ideal of the Soviet woman. Nina Kozlovtseva, a cultural scientist and associate professor at the Department of Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, noted that in the USSR there is a well-defined specific image reflecting the successful combination of a woman's work and the role of mother, keeper of the hearth.

Since 1966, according to the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 8, 1965, International Women's Day has become a public holiday. At the same time, this day became an international holiday established by the United Nations (UN) only in 1975.

Interestingly, in modern Russia, unlike other countries, Women's Day has lost its feminist connotation. So, according to statistics, less than 10% of citizens associate this holiday with the struggle for women's rights.The majority of the Russian population considers March 8 to be the day of spring, female beauty, which gives an occasion to say words of love and gratitude to their loved ones, the cultural expert noted.

In 2025, the holiday falls on a Saturday, but there is no additional day off in March. Russians will rest for two days, on Saturday and Sunday, and the day off on March 8 has been postponed to June 13.

Gifts for March 8, congratulations

In Russia, girls are beginning to be congratulated on International Women's Day in kindergarten. Children make gifts for their mothers and grandmothers. The tradition of celebrating March 8 continues into adulthood — all girls and women receive a sprig of mimosa or a bouquet of tulips.

As Nina Kozlovskaya summarizes, there are no specific gifts that need to be given on March 8. However, the traditional ritual of the holiday is flowers and sweets. Most often, women receive perfumes, accessories, cosmetics, household appliances and various cooking devices as gifts.

Many groups prepare congratulations and arrange celebrations for the women's section. Public institutions and playgrounds are preparing for the event, shops are announcing promotions for the fair sex. Special events and concerts are also organized in all Russian cities, as well as street festivals.

There are traditions in other countries as well. For example, in China, it is customary to congratulate mothers and married women on March 8. On the eve, men buy postcards, small gifts and potted flowers for their beloved women.In Italy, it is not considered an official holiday, but on this day there are crowded marches and noisy rallies in support of women. In Cuba, it is celebrated noisily, cheerfully, with "revolutionary fervor." Locals take to the streets, congratulate each other, sing and dance. Colorful festivals are held in the central city squares.

In addition to national traditions, the UN annually announces the theme of International Women's Day. This year's celebration will be held under the motto "Invest in women, accelerate progress." Presentations and lectures on the issues of equality between men and women will be held on the topic, as well as meetings of women activists will be organized.