VLC on Falla(s), you say? 2011

Fallas. Oh, boy.

Perhaps it is more appropriate to start with an introduction. Quite honestly, I don’t think any introduction I (or really any one for that matter) can offer will do this annual event justice.


Top Fallas in the 2011 (Click 1 & 2. Take a gander, will you.)

1. Convento de Jerusalen
2. Almirante Cadarso – Conde Altea
3. Nou Campanar
4. Cuba Literato Azorin
5. L’Antiga de Campanar
6. Plaza del Pilar
7. Exposiciò Micer Masco
8. Archiduque Carlos – Chiva
9. Na Jordana
10. Reino de Valencia
11. Sueca Literato Azorín
12. La Merced

 A personal favorite!

FIRST PLACE! MAN VERSUS "LA NATURALEZA" (Convent Jerusalem)

How could I not? This was great!

I was coerced to play with petardos (firecrackers)
Thank you, Prosper/Dixon Coalition
(Great Documentation Posted on Chels' Blog)

The past few weeks/month I have done quite a bit of informal research on the history of and the culture that is FALLAS here in Valencia. Though I considered myself to have been more or less knowledgeable of what Fallas are all about BEFORE the big week  (yes, I said WEEK. Not a few days, but months to a year of preparation is devoted to this quite-frankly minimally promoted holiday), NO amount of preparation could suffice.

FALLAS truly is ORGANIZED CHAOS.

It is magnificent. Roads within the city are completely inaccessible during the celebration! Imagine hundreds, NAY THOUSANDS, of people walking the streets at all hours of the day. It is a beautiful thing, really. Many from neighboring European countries, actually, which I found interesting.

This pictures speaks for itself. That's Fallas for ya.

Before I dive into FALLAS at SCHOOL,  I think I should fill you in. I’ll be as pithy as possible. Promise. 

The Dealio: FALLAS 411

What are Fallas? These BEAUTIES are actually gargantuan models made from papier mache, wood and wax – typically characaturing Spanish social and political current affairs. Most take approximately ONE YEAR to construct!

The Fallas are burnt the evening of March 19^th in (what many have deduced anyway is) a FIESTA of fire, fireworks and of course religious significance. 

Ruben, Rosemarie, Chelsea and I loving
every minute of the Firework Show

BE COGNIZANT of firecrackers being thrown intermittently by CHILDREN (yes many of which <10 years of age) and for the ground to shake [generously attributed to the power of the inconceivably well executed fireworks display which begins at midnight.]
The Origin? (Couldn’t help it!) There are a few theories regarding the origins of Fallas.

1.      The festivals have been celebrated in Valencia since the Medieval Ages when carpenters would light bonfires on March 19th, which is Saint Joseph’s (San Jose/San Josep) Day. FYI: This is indeed the Valencia’s Patron Saint. What is more, Saint Joseph's Day is Father’s Day all around Spain! Get this FALLAS, FATHER’S DAY, SAN JOSE’S DAY!

2.      The ritual of generating bonfires with the intention of honoring Saints came from pagan tradition, which the Church welcome and personalized to their own interests (for a lack of a better word), simply because their fame made banning them simply UNFEASIBLE.

The 7 phases of Fallas:
I was so excited! The city is literally all “decked out” with decorations &  fallas. The local community REALLY gets into this – Every one comes out to play. Where have you all been hiding?
In a single week the following unfolds:
1. Nomination and public announcement of the Fallas Queens (full time position; all year long they are charge with the responsibility form part of the luminaries welcomed to Valencia to partake in local and regional occasions).
2.  Let’s make it OFFICIAL with The Exaltation: Official start of FALLAS on the last Sunday of Feburary (La Despertà). A parade is held to AWAKEN Valencia! VENGA!

Torres de Serrano. Where the party's at (begins) the last Sunday of February!

3. La Cridà. Later on in the night  the opening ceremony is held. Where? Torres de Serrano (merely 20 minutes from my house on foot!)

At La Crida with friend, Ruben.
I couldn't believe how many people came out! "You haven't seen ANYTHING yet". He was right.

Not nearly as much noise is made from that point on. Well, that’s until March 1^st– the beginning of Valencia’s daily mascletas. Where? PLAZA DEL AYUNTAMIENTO. Where else? Immerse yourselves for a moment. 

I will NEVER forget this feeling.
"Keep your mouth open and don't plug your ears."

  4. The Cavalcade of the Ninot (Cabalgata):
“Corpus Christi Day, Sunday, at noon, after the pealing of the bells from the Miguelete Tower and the Pontifical Mass, the Cabalgata del Convite (Invitation Cavalcade), leaving from the square known as Plaza de Manises, begins. In this cavalcade curious characters parade and the dances, such as Els Cavallets (The Merry-Go-Rounds), Els Pastorets (The Shepherds) or La Magrana (The Pomegranate), are performed, the most original of all of them is the dance performed by the Moma and the Momos which symbolises the fight between the seven capital sins and virtue in which finally prevails the good.
[Then comes the]...Degolla (Throat-cutting) which symbolises Herod's guard fulfilling the mission to "execute" the innocents. These characters, wearing black masks and carrying a plastic stick and a sack full of sweets embark on it with "blows" to the people while throwing sweeties into the air, to which the public responds by throwing bowls of water at them from the windows, in the popular banyà (bath), which is spectacular as it passes through the streets of Cabillers and Avellanas.
Late in the afternoon the bells of the Miguelete announce the Solemn Procession that at 7pm sets off from the Apostles' Door of the Cathedral. In it numerous characters from the Old and the New Testament travel round the old quarter of the city in a colourful and imaginative parade and they accompany the monumental custodia from the Cathedral of Valencia.” http://www.valencia-cityguide.com/tourist-information/leisure/festivals/feast-of-corpus-christi.html
5. The Offering of Flowers (La Ofrenda): Very emotional time for many Falleras, I must say. One by one, Fallas through out Valencia walk through the city (a commissions/Falla may walk for two hours to reach La Plaza de la Virgen)

Now THIS  is an offering, people

Ms. Molly and I
La Plaza de la Virgen

Much Better documentation: http://www.web-valencia.com/valencia-fallas-offering.htm

I found my FALLERAS/FALLERO!
Carla, one of my favorite students outside of El Cole
and her lovely parents!

6. The Planta. When the party really starts, in my opinion. Now I know why Valencia was teeming with visitors on March 15^th – they were adamant about passing all FIVE (sleepless) days of Fallas in Valencia! The Chief celebrations start March 15^th, when all the FALLAS commissions (also called Fallas typically constituted by residents through Valencia neighborhoods/zone) set up their models. In hours, the city is teeming with UNBELIEVABLE works of art! One can spend an entire day walking around the city, marvelling at the innovative and incomparable skill placed into these monuments (Apparently they were even more intense three years ago. I can NOT even imagine!)
7. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, La Cremá: (personally) the height of Las Fallas!

Pre-Crema! Squirming with Anticipation, we walked the streets minutes before Valencia was aflame.

It was rather toasty. We loved it! Yes, this is an ENORMOUS flame fire directly behind us!

LOYAL BOMBEROS (some hailing from Barcelona)

..Getting warmed up

 The beautiful giants are ignited on March 19^th (recall: SAN JOSE’S DAY). Interestingly enough, the very last Fallas to go down are the recipients of PRIZES (category-specific prizes are administered). One “ninot” (Do you remember PACO, our own ninot in the apartment?) is saved annually (from being lit) and later featured at the Museum of the Ninot. 

At about 10 PM this year (until well after 1 AM), Valencia quite literally went up flames whilst 300+ fires were elaborately ignited throughout our beautiful home (city of Valencia, that is). It was an experience the girls and I will never forget, I am sure. EVER.

INCREDIBLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION for those interested in diving into FALLAS 2012:
http://www.24-7valencia.com/fallasessentials.html

(You may just bump into me!)

Mustn't forget to mention my very first Buñuelo making party!
Our lovely neighbors invited Chelsea and me over to make authentic, Buñuelo and Valor Chocolate with
their sweet Valencia Grandmother! I admit a few came out looking more like chicken wings than anything else, but hey - A for Effort!

A Few Recuerdos from FALLAS AT SCHOOL.

Months of Preparation, I tell you.

It was so nice to be a part of my own "Falla"! The school always makes me feel so welcome.

2010 WORLD CUP CHAMPS IN GODELLA? Stupendous Work Grade 2 (GRADE 2!!) & Carmen

I arrived to school at 9 AM to be flowered with FALLAS gifts (HANDMADE FALLAS PINS) and attire. If you want to be really Valencian, get yourself a blusón and scarf. The Blusón is an overshirt, which apparently originates from England in the 19th century [usually black or a denim blue]. It is worn with a blue and white checked neck scarf.
Shout out to one of our Faculty, Jesus, for a job well done on the BARRANQUET Bike FALLA.

CHECK IT OUT!
Each class rocked its own "Falla" Pin!

A few of us passed an hour or so cutting up and serving Ensaimadas con ChocolateI could not believe all of the sweets at our disposal on this single day: Churros con Chocolate, Bunuelo (Handmade by Vicenta. Excellent Work!) and Ensaimadas!
Yay for sky rocketing sugar levels and Elementary School students!

One of my favorites before the imitation MASCLETA
(All students blow up a row of balloons and simultaneously proceed to POP them)!
YES, LIVE SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS!

Check out the Video of OUR CREMA! Mind you (relative to a REAL Crema featured during LAS FALLAS en Valencia), I would like to share our school's OWN version (low grade, but equally entertaining with over 100 elated children around you) of la CREMA!

Right before LA CREMA. BEAUTIFUL, wasn't it.
I was so impressed by our school's faculty, staff and students! Such dedication!

Enjoy! GO RAFA for igniting the flame!

 
Kudos to HOLAVALENCIA.NET for the following tips:
“First off: this festival is not for everyone. If you can’t tolerate noise and firecrackers, then you’d be well advised to stay away. As a matter of fact, many Valencians detest Fallas and vacate the city as the hordes of revelers arrive. Before I moved to Valencia I wasn’t much of a firecrackers fan, but you get used to them. Especially after that first mascletà!
About mascletàs: Don’t go if you have problems with your ears. They’re extremely loud, even if you’re prepared.  If you’re unsure whether you’ll like it, I recommend watching from the northern end of Plaza de l’Ayuntamiento. You can always get closer. If you’re a daredevil or hate your eardrums, show up 20 minutes before 2pm and claim a front-row spot. Actually, for the last 5 mascletàs, make that an hour early — these are the most popular and the plaza will be packed.
Be warned of Street Mascletàs!!!! These are smaller and look less threatening than the large city-sponsored ones, but they are far more intense. Long pants to protect yourself from shrapnel (really!) and sunglasses aren’t a bad idea. Above all — if it gets too loud, don’t stick your finger in your ears. This prevents the regulation of air pressure and could damage your eardrum. The trick is to cover your whole ear with your hand and keep your mouth slightly open.
Try to take a siesta. After the 2pm Mascletà, eat and rest up so you’re ready to go out again around 6. With luck, you’ll have energy enough to stay out until the early morning hours — just like a real Valencian!”

Ah! The Sunday after Fallas weekend. What a wonderful way to finish off the celebration.
Chelsea, Molly and I at Parque Viveros: Can you say RECUPERATION?

My First Visit to "the City of Love"

After almost 10 hours of travel (Pamplona to Madrid; Madrid to Valencia via train & finally from Valencia to Paris via – your friend and mine – Ryan Air), I was slightly exhausted, but nevertheless ECSTATIC to have finally arrived in Paris.

Two days later, I’m back up in the air recounting an incredible weekend..

Marc and Haejin. I am a BIG fan.

I CAN NOT believe we made this flight, in all honesty. I made it with literally one minute left to spare. In fact, both times I was cutting it extremely short! I swear I have angels…and/or perhaps I am just extremely lucky sometimes. Fortunately, we were able to recruit Marc’s incredible girlfriend (Sweet, Charismatic, Freelance Artist & Native of SAN FRANCISCO), Haejin. 

She gave me GREAT advice re: my upcoming to the Bay. Apparently, I will be looking into living in “Mission” and CERTAINLY NOT Tenderloin (“TL”) for housing soon. As if it weren’t crazy enough that Marc’s girlfriend is from San Francisco, I was definitely “flipando” when HE nonchalantly enlightened me of his forthcoming move to San Francisco! What?!

In any case, for those of you looking to book your flight to this incredible city PLEASE (I beg you) DO NOT fly into Paris Beauvais unless you have a benevolent friend to come collect you J The miniscule airport (well, relative to Barajas and even VLC) is ONE hour from our magical destination. Poor Marc, a world traveler himself, who by the way is the former “student” and current lifetime crony of mutual friend, Fritz Chery. Yes, he is a sweetheart. I recognize this is quite the understatement, but I am sure you get the picture.

Meet Marc Simon! Indeed, he is "The Man", Fritz.

Meet Marc Simon: One of the most down-to-Earth individuals I’ve ever met. What a GREAT host and Cultural Embassador!

This week has been NON STOP; no regrets here despite supreme exhaustion, which I mostly attribute to general travel. Needless to say, 2 days (..or was it “2 weeks”, Marc?) in Paris is simply NOT enough. I can’t even begin to think of the number of full days I would need to fully appreciate all of the expositions offered at The Louvre & oh my goodness, all of the Museums! I MUST give my host an immense amount of credit – We quite literally covered a lot of ground within the past few days. “You make me walk SO much, Addie.”

A few favorite memories: (I am undeniably smitten.)

The Arc de Triumph

Open Market: (I love these!) Fruit was MUCH pricier. I appreciate Valencia veggies and fruit prices! 

 I’d never seen so many types of cheese in my life! 

DELICIOUS PITA!

Jewish Quarter: Highly recommened by Margaux and Haejin!  How much I miss Hummus & Babaganoush!! My goal is to learn how to make these dishes before I leave Europe. A must.

I stumbled upon a PAELLA Stand in the middle of Paris

Guess who!?

ALMOST THERE - on the way up to Montmarte (Personal Favorite).
It was indeed a hike.

Akim, the "Moroccan Prince", and I

-           

One could spend a MONTH just visiting The Louvre!

The Renowned Notre Dame (Am I the only one who immediately thinks of the Disney Movie?)

-         

Is this not the most beautiful "garden" you've ever seen, people?

I realized more than ever in France that I definitely do not have the “knack” for learning languages, particularly French. Me cuesta mucho.  My French teacher in elementary school would NOT be pleased. No, she would be ashamed! Sorry Akim and Marc. I tried! J And Don’t you worry, I will continue practicing (“ooo”/ “ouu”).

I couldn’t be more grateful. 

Thank you millionfold, Marc, Fritz, Heijin and Akim!

2011 Fulbright Mid-Year Conference: "Is this real life?"

3/9/2011-3/11/2011 Pamplona, Spain

2011 Fulbright Mid-Year Conference

Where should I begin? ..Perhaps I should begin by stating that the Fulbright Commission (especially our beloved Paula) has exceeded my expectations this weekend. The mid-year conference was an exquisite production – a very well balanced arrangement of professional development, Fulbright-to-Fulbright / Fulbright-to-Commission/Embassy interaction, (arguably) the nation’s most incredible gastronomic experience I’ve had in Spain yet (WOW!), and the opportunity to reflect on our past 6 months in España.

The Throne Room, Palace of Navarro

I nearly failed to mention the fact that the Commission managed to simultaneously squeeze in time for grantees to experience the beauty (is this an understatement?) of Pamplona. Indeed, we spent quite a bit of time outside of the extraordinarily accommodating Hotel Tres Reyes (****). Fond memories: The Throne Room, the beautiful City Council Building/Ayuntamiento, A Palace/Palacio de Navarro) and being so warmly received by the Mayoress of Navarro, the articulate, charismatic and convivial Yolanda Barcina. The weather was unexpectedly lovely: warm and sunny!

I managed to get a hold of as many City Guides as possible. Why? You BETTER believe I am coming back! During our lunch/leisure period, Katie and I found one of several beautiful parks in Pamplona. I honestly did not want to leave (I was so very tempted to miss my flight to Paris. No joke!)

“I couldlive here, Addie”.
Katie Brooks, Conference Roommate and fellow Valencia ETA.

A few highlights:

Ø     Valencia ETAs reunited

Unfortunately, the others were unavailable at the moment.
I’ve said this time and time again; I am CERTAIN that there couldn’t be a more perfect group to have been assigned with: Lyla, Rosemarie, Amber, Chelsea, Lauren, Molly, Margaux, Nora, Katie. Impresionante (especially your Spanish speaking skills. You blew me away, girls!)

Ø     Made some new friends! Such Great Company! 

Chris and I sporting one of quite a few conference souvenirs

I am pleasantly surprised that I continue to meet Fulbrighters who are natives of California (specifically San Francisco!) I also know of at least three who have recently worked with Teach For America or will be joining the Corps with me this upcoming year!

Ø     Roundtable: Touching, comical, thought provoking, well organized. Well done! Shout out to Molly: REPRESENTING Valencia ETA. Too much pride we have, ladies

To reiterate, INCREDIBLE cuisine

Pilar, you were a fantastic mesera/waitress

Maria Jesus and Paula (Patricia, Laura, Miguel, Aitor...), you are amazing! Thank you!

What I appreciated most is how welcoming the Commission is to our feedback and our personal experience (ETAs and Researchers were offered the opportunity to present at the conference). Lyla (among many others), you are phenomenal. Truly.

FYI:

PAMPLONA: "Hemingway and the Bulls"

Mmhmm, this is the town of the "Running of Bulls", one of the most famous events in Spain. American writer Ernest Hemingway loved Pamplona for this spectacle which is part of the popular festival of San Fermin, as he adored bullfighting, and Pamplona is one of its centers.

But by no means should you feel coerced into participating in something so spectacular as The Running of the Bulls. This well cared-for northern-spanish town certainly has something interesting to offer. It’s a very well conserved historical center (i.e. picturesque mountain ranges of the region Navarra, with some of the most original folklore in Spain). Don’t get us started on the food…

Photo Tour anyone?
Who wouldn’t want to live here?

Want to read an extremely thorough synopsis of our weekend? Check. It. Out. http://molly-costigan.blogspot.com/2011/03/catch-up-part-iv-la-mesa-redonda-round.html & http://molly-costigan.blogspot.com/2011/03/catch-up-part-iii-mid-year-meeting.html

For you native Spanish speakers out there, I thought you might appreciate an easier read: http://elblogdefulbright.es/index.php/2011/03/2011-mid-year-meeting-in-pamplona/ (Compliments to Patricia and Paula)

“The Fulbright Program aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby to increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.”

“El Programa Fulbright se propone aportar un poco más de conocimiento, un poco más de razón y un poco más de compasión a los asuntos mundiales y aumentar de esa manera la posibilidad de que al fin las naciones aprendan a vivir en paz y amistad”.

J. William Fulbright.

"Being Spontaneous Isn't Always a Bad Thing"

Convivencia & International Women’s Day

Oh my. I haven’t updated since before my WONDERFUL visit from my equally (if not more) wonderful parents nearly a month ago. What a blessing it was to experience them for 11 lovely days!

Nearly one month later…

I made a somewhat sporadic decision to opt out of Carnaval in Vinaros with Fellow Fulbrighters (a weekend that we'd been planning for nearly 3 months now) in favor of a much needed Weekend Retreat! Needless to say, tt was the Best Decision I’ve made this year.

·        Check out Molly’s CARNAVAL entry: http://molly-costigan.blogspot.com/2011/03/catch-up-part-ii-carnaval.html )

·        Lyla also offers a great explanation of Carnaval in Vinaros:

“Friday marked the beginning of 11 days of celebration and excitement.  I’ve been hearing about it since I moved here.  It’s bigger than Halloween.  It’s bigger than Independence Day.  And, dare I say it, it’s bigger than Christmas.  It’s…CARNAVAL (cue music and emphatic arm-raised dancing)!

Carnaval is celebrated all across Spain (and other countries as well), but only some cities host elaborate celebrations.  Vinarós is one of those cities.  I’ve been told that the population will multiply by five, and that Vinarós has the 4th largest Carnaval celebration in all of Spain.  I don’t know the accuracy of those figures, but I have no doubt that it’s going to be big. [Oh, and it was]

What, you ask, is Carnaval? …the short answer would be that it’s eleven days of costumes, glitter, sequins, music, dancing, fireworks, drag queens, parades, loud noises and very little sleep.”

Excellent, Lyla. http://lyladuey.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/carnaval-get-ready/

So yes, back to the Convivencia (more or less a retreat hosted by a local parish)…

In a nutshell, this retreat was quite valuable: Culturally, Linguistically and Spirtually. I considered it yet another great opportunity to really immerse myself in Spanish and Spanish culture, while granting myself permission to practice silencing a seemingly relentless mind. When I came back a friend, Ruben, openly admitted: “It was quite clear that you have spent the entire weekend speaking Castellano. What a difference.” Indeed, I was the only American at the Convivencia (out of 48) (Within minutes I was dubbed ‘Connecticut’, pronounced Cone-nect-ee-koot).

We certainly had/have a lot to celebrate about

I've met some spectacular people within those few days in Gandia 

, Spain (approximately one hour from home).

·        Agustin (studied law! Brilliant man) and Edita. Great conversation.Universal language of LOVE – across ages, cultures, anything you can think

·        Delicious Food* (always a good thing!)

·        Best sleep I’ve had in AGES (well over 6 months). I slept like a baby. For this I am eternally grateful. I feel relaxed, revitalized, hopeful, happy/content, significantly more clear minded and – just great.

·        The energy of the Catequistas was INCREDIBLE

·        Principally connected with a LOVELY Colombian couple (Hugo and Nydia) and Peruvian roommate, Edita.

A few take home notes:

1. Stop planning. God (in whichever form you believe it to be) is BIGGER THAN EVERYTHING. It* has a plan. A BEAUTIFUL plan. It is an artist. When you make a single choice, it completely reconstructs your path. Don’t plan. Just BE.

2. “You can rest now. Relax. You will be okay. Let God take the reins…don’t forget that IT’S YOUR CHOICE. We talked a lot about the THE POWER OF FREE WILL”

3. Stop COMPLAINING. We are always complaining. Why? There’s no point. No need. No benefit that comes from complaining.

4. What is most IMPORTANT: RIGHT NOW. Today. Not yesterday, Not tomorrow. THE PRESENT.

The upcoming week was quite exciting at el Colegio (school). Indeed, the entire school celebrated INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: 3/8/2011

I found myself awe inspired at the deliberateness of our school Principal and faculty/staff in promoting this international holiday.

A few of my 6th Graders sporting our homemade International Women's Day Pins!

When:  Tuesday 8 March 2011
Where: Everywhere
What:   International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women's Day is a national holiday.
Why:   Suffragettes campaigned for women's right to vote. The word 'Suffragette' is derived from the word "suffrage" meaning the right to vote. International Women's Day honours the work of the Suffragettes, celebrates women's success, and reminds of inequities still to be redressed. The first International Women's Day event was run in 1911.

 
2011 is the Global Centenary Year.

Read/Skim on, my cultured cronies:

International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.

1908
Great unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women. Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Then in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.

1909
In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on 28 February. Women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February until 1913.

1910
n 1910 a second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. A woman named a Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day - a Women's Day - to press for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women's clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin's suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women's Day was the result.

1911
Following the decision agreed at Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. However less than a week later on 25 March, the tragic 'Triangle Fire' in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew significant attention to working conditions and labour legislation in the United States that became a focus of subsequent International Women's Day events. 1911 also saw women's 'Bread and Roses' campaign.
 

1913-1914
On the eve of World War I campaigning for peace, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February 1913. In 1913 following discussions, International Women's Day was transferred to 8 March and this day has remained the global date for International Wommen's Day ever since. In 1914 further women across Europe held rallies to campaign against the war and to express women's solidarity.

1917
On the last Sunday of February, Russian women began a strike for "bread and peace" in response to the death over 2 million Russian soldiers in war. Opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. The date the women's strike commenced was Sunday 23 February on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia. This day on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere was 8 March.

1918 - 1999
Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength annually. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as 'International Women's Year' by the United Nations. Women's organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

2000 and beyond
IWD is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.

Many global corporations have also started to more actively support IWD by running their own internal events and through supporting external ones. For example, on 8 March search engine and media giant Google some years even changes its logo on its global search pages. Year on year IWD is certainly increasing in status. The United States even designates the whole month of March as 'Women's History Month'.

Source: http://www.internationalwomensday.com