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International Women's Day
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International Women's Day
International Women's Day
International Women's Day has its roots in the labor movements dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century. It began on March 8, 1857 when women textile workers in New York went on strike to protest against low wages and poor working conditions. Fifty years later, the strike was commemorated when women demanded a 10-hour work day.
In subsequent years and on the same date, women demonstrated for the right to vote and an end to child labor. Finally, on March 8, 1911 more than one million women from all over the world celebrated the first official International Women's Day.
Sadly, that same month a tragedy occurred in the U.S. highlighting the criminally appalling working conditions faced by workers in factory after factory across the U.S. and throughout the world. On March 25, 1911, more than 145 women working in the sweatshop factory of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York were killed after a fire broke out in the factory and their escape from the burning building prevented because all the exists had been chained and locked.
Over the years, International Women's Day has become a time to reflect on progress and a call to continue the work of creating positive changes. Today women across the world are celebrating this day in their own way.
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