Today is International Women’s Day (IWD), a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women. Women have accomplished so much since the first IWD was celebrated in 1911, but there’s still a long way to go. This year’s theme is "Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”. To celebrate, we’re sharing 5 fast facts about International Women’s Day. 1. It started as a protest IWD began as a huge protest in 1908 by women who wanted better pay, better working conditions and the right to vote. But the official International Women's Day was honoured for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March 1911. 2. IWD is now a recognised holiday in 27 countries In its first year, International Women's Day was recognised only in a few countries. But it is now a recognised holiday in 27 countries, including China, Uganda, Afghanistan and Russia. 3. Observed as a global event in 1977 International Women’s Day was first recognised as a global event by western nations when the United Nations General Assembly invited its members to dedicate March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights in 1977. 4. The year was 2011 2011 was the 100 year centenary of International Women's Day. In the United States, President Barack Obama proclaimed March 2011 to be "Women's History Month". And Hillary Clinton, the then Secretary of State, launched the "100 Women Initiative: Empowering Women and Girls through International Exchanges". 5. The Google Doodle Each year Google celebrates with a specially designed doodle. The 2015 doodle featured women in a range of different careers from an astronaut to a judge, a scientist and a chef. Head over to the International Women’s Day website to find out how you can take action.

1. WOMEN'S
INTERNATIONAL
DAY
5 fast facts about

2. 1. It started as a protest

3. IWD began as a huge protest in
1908 by women who wanted
better pay, better working
conditions and the right to vote.
But the official International
Women's Day was honoured for
the first time in Austria, Denmark,
Germany and Switzerland on 19
March 1911.

4. 2. IWD is now a recognised
holiday in 27 countries

5. In its first year,
International Women's
Day was recognised only
in a few countries. But it
is now a recognised
holiday in 27 countries,
including China, Uganda,
Afghanistan and Russia.

6. 3. Observed as a
global event in 1977

7. International Women’s Day
was first recognised as a
global event by western
nations when the United
Nations General Assembly
invited its members to
dedicate March 8 as the UN
Day for women’s rights in
1977.

8. 4. The year was 2011

9. 2011 was the 100 year centenary of
International Women's Day. In the
United States, President Barack
Obama proclaimed March 2011 to
be "Women's History Month". And
Hillary Clinton, the then Secretary
of State, launched the "100 Women
Initiative: Empowering Women and
Girls through International
Exchanges".

10. 5. The Google Doodle

11. Each year Google celebrates IWD with a specially
designed doodle. The 2015 doodle featured women in a
range of different careers from an astronaut to a judge,
a scientist and a chef.

12. Head over to the
International
Women’s Day
website to find out
how you can take
action.