Historical & Current Events dictionary
Women’s History Month
[ wim-inz his-tuh-ree muhnth ]
What is聽Women's History Month?
Women鈥檚 History Month is a month-long observance dedicated to education about and celebration of women鈥檚 contributions to history, society, and culture.
The setting aside of a month to recognize women鈥檚 history is based on the idea that it is important to give special attention to such stories because they are often and have historically been erased, excluded, ignored, or under-appreciated due to misogyny.
International Women鈥檚 Day takes place during Women鈥檚 History Month on March 8.
馃棑 When is Women's History Month?
Women鈥檚 History Month takes place every year during the entire month of March in the US, the UK, and Australia. In Canada, it takes place in October.
Where does Women’s History Month come from?
International Women鈥檚 Day has been observed since the early 1900s. In the 1970s, weeklong observances were held around the day involving education about women鈥檚 history. These events spread and, in 1980, the week of March 8 was officially made National Women鈥檚 History Week nationwide. In 1987, the observance was extended to the entire month of March throughout the US.
Today, Women鈥檚 History Month is observed in many countries. The existence of Women鈥檚 History Month鈥攍ike other months dedicated to marginalized groups, such as Black History Month鈥攊s not intended to imply that women鈥檚 history is only worthy of a single month of attention. Instead, it is often thought of as a way to emphasize that women and their contributions should be given more attention.
Examples of Women’s History Month
More information and context on Women's History Month
Did you know 鈥� ?
- The weeklong event that is often credited with popularizing the observance of a period recognizing women鈥檚 history was held in 1978 by a school district in California.
- Each Women鈥檚 History Month has a specific theme. Past themes include 鈥淰aliant Women of the Vote鈥� and 鈥淰isionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence.鈥�
What are other words used in discussion of Women’s History Month?
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of Women’s History Month like most terms we define on 亚洲网紅露点, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of Women’s History Month that will help our users expand their word mastery.