La Festa della Donna

Every year, Italy comes aglow with the golden blossoms of mimosas. On March 8, the fragrant flowers are given to women across the country for La Festa della Donna, International Women's Day.

A political start in New York

The holiday is more cultural in Italy today, but its roots are political. The first observance, organized by the Socialist Party of America, was held in New York City in 1909 to protest a tragic event. Earlier in March, women at a garment factory in Manhattan had threatened to strike over dangerous working conditions, too many hours and too little pay.

Just days later, the factory burned to the ground, with 145 workers, mostly young women, trapped inside. Many consider the outrage that followed the catalyst of the women's movement. It was certainly the spark for International Women's Day.

From a protest to a global day

Over the following decades, the day was adopted across the world. Women-led strikes, marches and other protests for equal rights rose steadily in the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa.

In 1977, the United Nations officially declared International Women's Day. Each year has a different official theme; in 2017 it was "Be Bold for Change." The United States has not officially observed the day, though President Obama declared March Women's History Month in 2011.

How Italy celebrates

In Italy, La Festa della Donna tends to have a symbolic flavor, reminiscent of Mother's Day. Each mimosa blossom recognizes women's economic, political and social achievements over the last century, which have been sizable. Progress, of course, is ongoing.