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Canada will celebrate the next International Women's Day (IWD) on Friday, March 8, 2024.
The idea for an International Women's Day arose around the turn of the 20th century out of a long-standing movement for women to participate equally in society. The first International Women's Day was observed on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. That day, more than one million women and men showed their support by participating in public events. Between 1913 and 1917, women elsewhere in Europe began to celebrate the day as well.
Over time, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration. The theme was expanded by the United Nations in 1975 with the International Women's Year. By 1977, the United Nations had adopted a resolution designating March 8 as International Women's Day.
Today, International Women's Day is a national holiday in many countries.