Since I am not at the archives today, I have the time to explain why I am not at the archives today.
Today is the 8th of March, or International Women's Day. In fact, this is the 100th International Women's Day, as it was first celebrated by the socialist movement in Russia in 1912 and 1913. International Women's Day in 1917--March 8th by the Gregorian calendar, but still February by the Julian calendar in use in Russia--was the spark of the first, February Revolution in Petrograd.
It was an official holiday in the Soviet Union throughout its existence, although the practice of making it a non-working day dates, apparently and not a little oddly, only from 1965. It has spread to other countries, mostly but not exclusively those with a history of communist rule. In Russia it is colloquially termed "March 8th" and the most common gesture is to give the women in your life flowers. In fact, you can't walk anywhere today without people selling flowers, carrying flowers, delivering flowers.
In fact, it's a nice tradition in my opinion because it expressly celebrates all women, including friends, coworkers, and others, not only women only as mothers or partners as is the case with the respective American holidays.
On the other hand, much like Mothers' Day and Valentines Day, the danger is that by devoting one day to them, we forget to express our appreciation for others the rest of the year.
So, do something nice for the women in your life today, on March 8th, but also don't about the people who are important to you on June 8 or September 8, too.
Today is the 8th of March, or International Women's Day. In fact, this is the 100th International Women's Day, as it was first celebrated by the socialist movement in Russia in 1912 and 1913. International Women's Day in 1917--March 8th by the Gregorian calendar, but still February by the Julian calendar in use in Russia--was the spark of the first, February Revolution in Petrograd.
It was an official holiday in the Soviet Union throughout its existence, although the practice of making it a non-working day dates, apparently and not a little oddly, only from 1965. It has spread to other countries, mostly but not exclusively those with a history of communist rule. In Russia it is colloquially termed "March 8th" and the most common gesture is to give the women in your life flowers. In fact, you can't walk anywhere today without people selling flowers, carrying flowers, delivering flowers.
In fact, it's a nice tradition in my opinion because it expressly celebrates all women, including friends, coworkers, and others, not only women only as mothers or partners as is the case with the respective American holidays.
On the other hand, much like Mothers' Day and Valentines Day, the danger is that by devoting one day to them, we forget to express our appreciation for others the rest of the year.
So, do something nice for the women in your life today, on March 8th, but also don't about the people who are important to you on June 8 or September 8, too.
2 comments:
Yeahhh for celebrating the women in your life...and not just for Mothers or romantics.
So to be fair, do they have an International Men's day?
The closest equivalent is the February holiday. As Red Army day/ veterans day, it used to celebrate all men because in Soviet times almost all men served as a result of universal male conscription. Now that most do not, it's less about veterans and more of a "Men's Day."
Although I submit that no one needs a "men's day" because, well, let's be frank: every day is men's day, not the least of which in Russia.
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