Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Table of Contents
Annually, on March 8, International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world. The first gathering honoring women’s contributions in politics, economics, and culture was held in 1911. Aside from women empowerment, this day also aims to support gender parity in a global scale.
See the fact file below for more information on the International Women’s Day or alternatively, you can download our 20-page International Women’s Day worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
- Since the early 1900s, at the height of industrialization and economic revolution, International Women’s Day or IWD was observed by few. In 1908, about 15,000 women marched in the streets of New York calling for shorter working hours, better pay, and the right to vote. It was during this time when great unrest and debate emerged regarding women’s status.
- On February 28, 1909, the first National Woman’s Day was observed across the United States in accordance to the declaration by the Socialist Party of America.
- In 1910, Clara Zetkin, leader of the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany opened the idea for an International Women’s Day.
- During the Second International Conference of Working Women held in Copenhagen, Zetkin proposed that every country should annually celebrate International Women’s Day. Over 100 women leaders from 17 countries attended the conference. As a result, International Women’s Day was unanimously accepted as a celebration to honor the achievements of women.
- In 1911, the first International Women’s Day celebration was held in Copenhagen. Moreover, countries including Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, and Germany honored this day on March 19.
- On this day, more than a million women and men participated in rallies calling for women’s right to work, right to vote, right to run for public office, and end of sex-based discrimination.
- In February 1913, Russian women first observed International Women’s Day as they campaigned the end of the war and for peace in Europe. Before the end of World War I, Russian women rallied for four days condemning the death of over 2 million soldiers. The event was followed by the Czar’s abdication and granted of women’s right to vote by the Provisional Government.
- In 1975, the United Nations first held its celebration of IWD. Two years later, the UN General Assembly adopted a formal resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be annually celebrated by each member states.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION
- In 1996, the United Nations began to adopt an annual IWD theme. “Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future” (1996), “Women at the Peace table” (1997), “Women and Human Rights” (1998), “World Free of Violence Against Women” (1999), and so on. Also, March 8 was designated to be IWD and is celebrated globally still today.
- In 2014, the 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women was held, which focused on “Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls”.
- During this day, influential and successful women from various milieu do seminars and conferences. Most of these encounters highlight innovation, portrayal, and achievements of women.
- A number of countries including Azerbaijan, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, and Russia set IWD as a public holiday.
- IWD is symbolically celebrated with colors of purple, green, and white. Purple stands for dignity and justice, green for hope, and white for purity.
INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN IN HISTORY
- Born on August 26, 1910, Mother Teresa was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic missionary and nun who devoted her life to the Missionaries of Charity order which took care of abandoned people. She was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her efforts in helping the poor. In addition, she was canonized as a saint in 2016.
- Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl whose diary became a primary account on the horrors of the Holocaust during World War II. Her diary was found after her death, just months before the war ended.
- Princess Diana of Wales, commonly known as the ‘People’s Princess’ was the wife of Britain’s Prince Charles, son of Queen Elizabeth II. Lady D, as many called her, devoted her life as a princess to doing charity work and campaigns.
- Born on July 24, 1897, Amelia Earhart from Kansas was an American aviator who championed the development of women in aviation. Earhart was the first female pilot who fly solo across the Atlantic. In July 1937, she disappeared while attempting to circumnavigate the world as she crossed the Pacific Ocean.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN
- During the 18th Dynasty, ancient Egypt was ruled by a female pharaoh, Hatshepsut. For two decades, she took the throne from her son as she became one of the most powerful women in ancient history.
- Mary Anderson invented several items we find necessary today including windshield wipers, disposable diapers, dishwashers, and non-reflective mirrors.
- Queen Victoria ruled the largest empire in history, overseeing Australia, Canada, British Guiana, Egypt, India, Kenya, and Egypt.
International Women’s Day Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about International Women’s Day across 20 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use International Women’s Day worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the International Women’s Day which is celebrated around the world. The first gathering honoring women’s contributions in politics, economics, and culture was held in 1911. Aside from women empowerment, this day also aims to support gender parity in a global scale.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- International Women’s Day Facts
- Most Inspiring Women
- Women Empires
- Women’s Firsts
- Trailblazing World Leaders
- Words of Women
- Colors of Womanhood
- Woman of History
- In Various Fields
- Women’s Rights
- Today in Herstory
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of International Women’s Day?
The main purpose of the celebration of International Women’s Day is to allot a global day for the recognition of the accomplishments in various aspects of all women around the world as well as the issues and challenges they face in society.
Why is International Women’s Day celebrated on
March 8?
There used to be no exact date set for the celebration of International Women’s Day and was therefore celebrated on various dates in different countries. The United Nations General Assembly in 1977 however proclaimed the 8th of March as an official holiday to raise awareness of women’s rights.
When was the first International Women’s
Day celebrated?
The first International Women’s Day is said to have happened on March 19, 1911 in the following countries: Denmark, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. However, in the U.SA., the observance of “National Women’s Day” occurred on February 28, 1909.
Who started International Women’s Day?
German delegates in an International Socialist Women’s Conference in August 1910 initiated the idea of the celebration of an annual “Women’s Day.” That said, International Women’s Day as we celebrate it now was adopted by the United Nations in 1975.
Link/cite this page
If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.
Link will appear as International Women’s Day Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 27, 2024
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.