On March 8th, countries throughout the world will celebrate International Women's Day. This significant holiday celebrates women's economic, political, and social contributions and raises awareness about the current injustices women face. Though International Women's Day is a global holiday, it is particularly important to the men and women of Russia.

In 1913, the women of Russia observed International Women's Day for the first time. Female activists joined together to protest World War I and by 1914 women from other European countries added their voices to the protests in an expression of women's solidarity.

These initial protests were only the beginning. On March 8, 1917, Russian women began striking "for bread and peace" in response to the deaths of over 2 million Russian soldiers in World War I. Their voices helped pave the way for the Czar's abdication and the leaders that followed agreed to grant Russian women the right to vote. Russian feminist Alexandra Kollontai came to power in the following years and in addition to championing women's rights and serving as the world's first female ambassador, she also persuaded Lenin to declare International Women's a Day a public holiday in the Soviet Union.

Since 1965, International Women's Day has been a non-working holiday in Russia. Friends, family, and co-workers celebrate together and banks, schools, and most businesses are closed for the day.

Though International Women's Day started as a feminist holiday it is now more of a cross between St. Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Men honor women for their beauty, femininity, and mothering skills and present gifts of flowers, chocolate, perfume, makeup, etc. Breakfast in bed and a day's respite from household chores are also treats women enjoy on this special day. Unlike Mother's Day or Valentine's Day, however, men honor all women on International Women's Day. Every woman receives something special.

Though International Women's Day has evolved throughout the years, it is still an important holiday in Russia and will continue to be significant for years to come. Monday, March 8th is this year's day of global celebration.