March 8th is International Women’s Day! Even though the first International Women’s Day was apparently celebrated in the US in 1909 following a declaration of the Socialist Party of America, it’s not really observed in the US today. It is, however, widely celebrated in most Eastern European countries (primarily those belonging to the former Soviet Union), and in Western Europe and the UK as well. It’s also the United Nations’ Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.
In Italy, to celebrate the day, men give yellow mimosa flowers to women. It’s not a romantic gesture, but a way to honor and acknowledge the women in their lives, and the tradition has evolved so that now women sometimes give mimosas to each other as well. My Italian professors in college always had little bunches of mimosas to give to the female students on March 8th. This morning one of the boys in my second-year class brought in mimosas for all of the girls in the class – what a gentleman!
Roberto and the ladies, with our mimosas.
Me and Elena, one of the English teachers I work with, after teaching a lesson about how to describe paintings.
If you want to know more about how the day is celebrated in Italy, take a look at this article from lifeinitaly.com. To all the amazing women in my life – have a wonderful day!
How nice to be reminded of this!!! Having you as one of the amazing women in my life is in itself amazing!