According to the Soviet Encyclopedia, German socialist Klara Zetkin came up with the idea to celebrate March 8 as a "day for the international solidarity of women in their struggle for economic, social and political equality" in 1910.

In Russia, the holiday was first celebrated in 1913. As the main desire of women then was the right to a job, March 8 was a working day. Soviet Russia obliged, opening the workplace to women as well as men. But by 1966, the novelty of work had apparently worn off for women, and March 8 became a non-working day.

Gradually the original purpose of the holiday was forgotten. Today women of all ages get flowers and gifts from men; children give flowers to their mothers and female teachers.