March 8 - International Women's Day

Today in History - March 8

March 8 is International Women's Day and has been celebrated annually since 1910. It commemorates the contributions of women to society in economic, political, and social spheres.
Notable events that occurred on March 8
• 1857 Textile workers in New York City protested unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women
• 1908 Women in the needle trades marched in New York City to protest child labor and sweatshop working conditions
• 1965 The first U.S. combat troops arrived in South Vietnam to defend the U.S. air base at Da Nang
• 1971 Joe Frazier defeated Muhammad Ali in the first of three fights between the two boxers
• 1978 The first episode of the radio comedy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was broadcast
• 1979 The compact disc was presented to the public
• 1884 Susan B. Anthony appeared before the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives to argue for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote
Other events that have occurred on March 8 include:
• The completion of Ferdowsi's epic poem Shahnameh in 1010
• The proclamation of Alfonso VII as king of León in 1126
• The Battle of Hausbergen in 1262
• The founding of the city of Pori in 1558