Women's History Month: 2023 celebrate

Women's History Month: 2023 celebrate

Women's History Month is observed every March. Although it was not always a month-long celebration, it now takes place from March 1 until the end of the month.

Women's History Month is a time to honor women who have made significant sacrifices and contributions to society, both past and present.

Each year, a different theme is named for the celebration, which is selected by the National Women's History Alliance.

Here's everything you need to know about Women's History Month, from why it's recognized to how it got started

Why do we celebrate Women's History Month?

What has been the past theme for Women's History Month?

Who started Women's History Month?

Why March is Women's History Month?

What are the colors for Women's History Month?

Why do we celebrate Women's History Month?

Read More Why is March National Women's History Month?

Women's History Month is celebrated as a way to honor the contributions of women to society throughout history. It's a month that focuses on educating people about the important impact strong women have had, both past and present.

Although the list is long, some popular historical figures who are often studied and recognized in March are Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, and Maya Angelou.

March 8 is International Women's Day.
2. What have been the past themes of Women's History Month?

Each year, there is a theme for Women's History Month that is developed by the National Women's History Alliance.

The 2023 theme is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Stories" which "recognizes women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling, including print, radio, TV, stage, blogs, podcasts, news and social media." "According to the website of the National Women's History Alliance.

In past years, some themes have included:

      "Women Provide Healing, Spread Hope"
      "Courageous Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced"
      "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence"
      "Yet she remained steadfast, showing respect for women who fought against all forms of discrimination against women."
      "Respecting Women in Labor and Business"
      "Working to Build a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government."

3. Who started Women's History Month?

According to History.com, Women's History Month didn't officially begin until 1987.

Women's History Month: Carolyn Johnson, the pioneering naval aviator, opens up on gender discrimination

Although the month-long celebration did not begin until later, there were week-long celebrations before 1987.

In 1978, a school district in Sonoma, California started Women's History Week. Former President Jimmy Carter turned the idea into a national week-long holiday in 1980.

The week of March 8 was a holiday.

Then, in 1981, the US Congress made the week a national celebration. It wasn't until 1987 that the week became a month-long celebration.
4. Why March is Women's History Month?

Even before the week-long celebration was established by California school districts, the holiday began as National Women's Day. The International Women's Day website says it dates back to 1908 when thousands of women gathered and made their way through the streets of New York City in a procession.

They were fighting for women's rights, including women's suffrage.

The following year, in 1909, the first official National Women's Day was celebrated, but on February 28 rather than March.

Click here to get the Fox News app

Other countries began recognizing a day for women in March, while Americans continued to celebrate it on the last Sunday of February until the 1970s.

Although the month of March is dedicated to women's history, International Women's Day is still celebrated annually on March 8.
While women's contributions to society are commemorated throughout the year, there are numerous key dates with historical value that occur in March.

The National Park Service website states that on March 3, 1913, the Women's Suffrage Parade took place in Washington, DC, where thousands of women gathered to fight for women's right to vote.