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How many people know that International Women's Day was first observed in the United States? Everyone in Europe knows that March 8th is an official holiday celebrated as International Women's Day; however; only a few people in North America are familiar with this unique day.

The woman is the most important being in the world, next to mother and daughter, without which the whole universe would not exist. Where was International Women's Day (IWD) born? How is it celebrated, and what does it symbolize internationally? Marked as a major day of global celebration, International Women's Day acknowledges the economic, political, and social achievements of women. Some countries around the world celebrate both International Women's Day and Mother's Day on March 8th.

Before the turn of the 20th century, on March 8th, 1857, women from clothing factories started a protest over working conditions and low wages in New York City and created the first labor union two years later. In the years that followed, more protests were held by women in New York City on March 8th. In 1910, International Women's Day was established at a conference held in Copenhagen. The following year, more than a million people in Europe celebrated March 8th. In the United States, it commemorated the 1911 drama of 140 women who burned in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Since then, March 8 has become an official holiday in most countries in Europe, including Brazil, China, Cuba, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, and Zambia.

This important day celebrates the women's movement for equality, women's rights, and equal chances. Countries such as England host yearly events on March 8th to commemorate the women who fought for the right to vote, right to education, right to medical care, divorce, or contraception.

March 8th celebrates women, the joy of life,, and the motivation to live. On International Women's Day men acknowledge the women in their lives, mothers, wives, daughters, and colleagues, and offer flowers and small gifts as tokens of respect and gratitude.

After all, women are known as "the most beautiful half of the world." Shouldn't we join the rest of the world and celebrate International Women's Day here, in North America? This year, acknowledge the women in your life, offer them a flower, and let them know how important they are! Women never get tired of hearing it!

If you are a woman, celebrate yourself, your mothers, and sisters on this day by taking the choices and decisions you are faced with upon yourself. Talk with other women, and learn from their experiences, especially those who are older or of a different cultural background than yourself and may have been differently affected by prejudice and sexism.

For the men and children who want to share in the observance of this holiday, some advice is to honor and respect the women in your lives.

To value their minds, capabilities, and talents, and never forget that regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, personality type, and all the other factors that make individuals different from one another. We are all people first and must conduct ourselves and treat each other as such.