8 International Women's Day Facts, Including the Hashtags You Should Use

International Women’s Day 2024 is on March 8. To celebrate, here are the Women’s Day facts you need to know.

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Happy International Women's Day (IWD)! Whether you celebrate by supporting women-owned businesses or giving your friends International Women's Day flowers, it's a great day to commemorate.

But do you actually know what International Women's Day is and the history behind it? Keep reading for everything you need to know about International Women's Day 2024, including this year's theme and hashtags.

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When Is International Women's Day?

Women's Day on Calendar
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International Women's Day takes place on March 8 every year to celebrate women's rights and inspire people to act in the ongoing fight for gender equality. In 2024, March 8 falls on a Friday.

RELATED: Inspirational Quotes for International Women's Day

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What Is International Women's Day?

International Womens Day 2019: Womens Day Facts You Need to Know
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International Women's Day is a United Nations-sanctioned global holiday. It celebrates women's contributions to society, raises awareness about the fight for gender parity, and inspires support for organizations that help women globally.

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What Is the International Women's Day History?

The International Women's Day Facts You Should Know
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According to the United Nations, International Women's Day started in America in 1909, when the Socialist Party of America took to the streets to honor garment workers who had protested against inhumane working conditions the year before. They called it National Women's Day, and it took place on February 28. The following year, the Social International established Women's Day in Copenhagen to celebrate those working for women's rights and universal suffrage.

In 1911, Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland celebrated the first official International Women's Day on March 19. More than 1 million people attended rallies focused on suffrage, representation, education, and workers' rights.

Over the next few years, more countries in Europe began marking the holiday on March 8. It wasn't until March 8, 1975, when, during International Women's Year, the United Nations celebrated it as an official holiday. Since 1975, the holiday has gained popularity around the globe as a way to recognize women.

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What Is the International Women's Day Logo?

The International Women's Day logo is a looping, arrowed circle with the female (or Venus) gender symbol at the inset. Groups and organizations that would like to use the logo, and align with what International Women's Day wants to represent, can get more information on the terms of use and how to register the necessary IWD account on the International Women's Day site.

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What Is the International Women's Day Theme for 2024?

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International Women's Day

The International Women's Day theme for 2024 is Inspire Inclusion, and it's about celebrating diversity and creating environments where women from all walks of life feel valued. The theme in 2023 was #EmbraceEquity, meant to raise awareness about the difference between equity and equality. Past themes include:

  • 2022: #BreaktheBias
  • 2021: #ChoosetoChallenge
  • 2020: #EachforEqual
  • 2019: #BalanceforBetter
  • 2018: #PressforProgress,
  • 2017: #BeBoldforChange
  • 2016: #PledgeforParity

The UN also issued a 2024 theme: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress, a call to action for governments to finance gender-equality measures, including supporting feminist organizations.

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What Are the International Women's Day 2024 Hashtags?

International Womens Day Hashtags and Facts to Know for March 8
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You can tag your social media posts with the straightforward #IWD2024. Or go thematic with #InspireInclusion or #InvestInWomen.

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Are There Any International Women's Day Events?

Yes! Community gatherings, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, and other events take place virtually and in person worldwide on March 8. It's a grassroots movement, so anyone can plan any kind of event. You can search for ones near you at the International Women's Day site.

The UN is live streaming a commemoration from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET. on March 8.

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What Are the Best Organizations to Donate Money To?

Check out these 10 organizations we think are well deserving of your International Women's Day funds!

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Sources
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  1. United Nations, International Women's Day. Accessed Feb. 29, 2024.

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