Background History

ON 8 MARCH 1857
New York women workers of the textile and clothing industry demonstrated in protest against their low wages and poor working conditions.

ON 8 MARCH 1907
Women in New York demonstrated on the anniversary to call for the vote for women and the end to child labour and sweatshops.

IN 1909
The day had been formally recognised as ‘Women’s Day’ in the USA. Rallies and demonstrations were held the following year in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and the United States. It is estimated that more than one million women went on the move demanding the right to vote and an end to sex discrimination.

IN 1910
At a women's international conference in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin of Socialist International called for 8 March to be marked as International Women's Day.


IN 1913
Russian women first celebrated the day when it was declared a national holiday by the Russian Parliament.

UNTIL 1968
Relatively little was heard of the day until 1968 when women in Chicago revived the celebration of International Women’s Day as part of the resurgence of feminism in the 1960s.

IN 1971
A demonstration of 5,000 women marched in London demanding childcare, equal opportunities and easier access to safe abortion.

IN 1975
The United Nations formally recognised 8 March as International Women’s Day.

1999- till present day
In Coventry the festival is co-ordinated by a group of dedicated volunteers representing a range of organisations and interests throughout the city. A diverse and focused festival programme is produced catering for the needs of women in our multi-cultural city. We celebrate the women of Coventry on their achievements and contributions and wish them success in every endeavour.

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