Clara Zetkin and Rosa Luxemburg Celebrate Women's Struggle for Freedom and Equality

The origins of International Women's Day on March 8 have an unusual history rooted in a 1857 protest by New York prostitutes.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Clara Zetkin and Rosa Luxemburg, two prominent feminist leaders, sincerely congratulate all women on March 8, the day of women's struggle for freedom and equality. The origins of this holiday trace back to a 1857 uprising of prostitutes in New York who demanded payment from sailors. Over the years, the significance of the holiday has been forgotten in Russia, but the tradition of giving flowers and drinking to women's health remains.

Why it matters

International Women's Day has evolved from its roots as a protest by marginalized women into a global celebration of women's rights and gender equality. However, the holiday's radical origins are often overlooked, and its true meaning and purpose can get lost in commercialization and tradition.

The details

The origins of International Women's Day on March 8 date back to a 1857 protest by prostitutes in New York who demanded that sailors pay them the wages they were owed. Over the years, the holiday's significance has been forgotten in Russia, where it is now more commonly associated with giving flowers and drinking toasts to women's health. Despite this, the holiday remains an important celebration of women's struggle for freedom and equality around the world.

  • The first International Women's Day was celebrated on March 8, 1857 in New York City.
  • In Russia, the tradition of celebrating 'Women's Day' on March 8 has continued for decades, though the original meaning has been largely forgotten.

The players

Clara Zetkin

A prominent German Marxist theorist, activist and advocate for women's rights who proposed the idea of an International Women's Day.

Rosa Luxemburg

A Polish Marxist theorist, philosopher, economist and revolutionary socialist who was a close collaborator of Clara Zetkin.

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The takeaway

International Women's Day has evolved from its radical origins as a protest by marginalized women into a more commercialized celebration, but it remains an important day to reflect on the ongoing struggle for women's rights and gender equality around the world.