On March 8, people across the world celebrate International Women’s Day. In the United States, March is designated as National Women’s History Month and honors the contributions of women to the nation’s history and culture. Each year, the U.S. President issues a proclamation calling on all citizens to observe March as National Women’s History Month, as well as a separate proclamation on International Women’s Day, March 8. The worldwide celebration, begun in 1975 by the United Nations, recognizes women’s achievements, highlights issues of common concern and focuses on ending discrimination and increasing support for women’s full and equal participation in society. In 2009, the theme was Women and Men United to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
Women’s Day in Poland
Valentine’s Day (Walentynki) has been observed in Poland since the collapse of the Eastern European Bloc and the opening of Poland’s borders. Poles were quick to adopt Valentine’s Day and nowadays it’s as popular in Poland as anywhere else. But a holdover from Soviet Union rule — DzieÅ„ Kobiet or Women’s Day – also is celebrated on March 8.
The holiday was created in 1948, in part, to replace the Roman Catholic feast day of Blessed Wincenty KadÅ‚ubek, a 12th-century monk, but also to glorify the ideals of women as hard-working contributors to the economy – sort of a women’s equality day. Although initially this feast was enforced by the government, it became accepted and part of Polish culture. And, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it is still celebrated.
While Valentine’s Day is more privately celebrated between lovers in Poland, Women’s Day is celebrated more as a national holiday for all women, regardless of age. They receive special attention, usually flowers, sweets and small gifts, not only privately, but at work and schools. The Western trend of giving greeting cards is creeping into this holiday.
Women’s Day is now an official holiday in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, and other Eastern European countries.