History of Women's History Month in Timeline
Women's History Month is a yearly event observed in March in the US, UK, and Australia, coinciding with International Women's Day on March 8th. It aims to acknowledge the significant contributions women have made throughout history and in present society. In Canada, it is celebrated in October, aligning with Persons Day on October 18th.
1911: First International Women's Day
The first International Women's Day was celebrated in 1911, marking a significant moment in the global movement for women's rights and equality.
1963: Previous Federal Report on Women
The previous comprehensive federal report on women had been produced in 1963 by the Commission on the Status of Women, making the 2011 report a significant update on the progress and challenges faced by women in the US.
1968: Start of the Women's Liberation Movement's Documentation
The Women's History Research Center started archiving documents related to the Women's liberation movement in 1968.
1969: International Women's Day March in Berkeley
Laura X organized a march in Berkeley, California on International Women's Day in 1969, reviving interest in the day in the US.
1974: End of the Women's Liberation Movement's Documentation
By 1974, The Women's History Research Center had collected nearly one million documents on microfilm, creating a crucial archive of the Women's liberation movement.
1978: Women's History Week in Sonoma County
In 1978, a weeklong celebration of Women's History was held in Sonoma County, California. This event was a key step towards the establishment of National Women's History Month.
1978: Sonoma County Women's History Week
The Sonoma County school district participated in Women's History Week in 1978, inspiring others to organize similar events across the US.
1979: Conference on Women's History
A fifteen-day conference on women's history was held at Sarah Lawrence College in 1979, bringing together scholars, activists, and organizations to discuss and promote women's history.
February 1980: President Carter's Presidential Proclamation
In February 1980, President Carter issued a presidential proclamation highlighting the contributions of women throughout American history and emphasizing the need for full equality under the law.
March 8, 1980: National Women's History Week Proclamation
President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980 as National Women's History Week.
1980: National Women's History Week
In 1980, the week of March 8th was declared National Women's History Week in the United States. This marked the first time the event was recognized nationally.
1981: First Joint Congressional Resolution for Women's History Week
In 1981, the first Joint Congressional Resolution for Women's History Week was co-sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch and Representative Barbara Mikulski, signifying growing support for the event in Congress.
March 7, 1982: Women's History Week Officially Proclaimed
Congress passed a resolution authorizing President Reagan to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as "Women's History Week."
1986: Fourteen States Declare Women's History Month
By 1986, fourteen states had taken the initiative to declare March as Women's History Month, indicating the rising momentum and recognition of the importance of celebrating women's history.
March 1987: Women's History Month Officially Established
In March 1987, following a petition by the National Women's History Project, Congress officially designated the entire month of March as Women's History Month.
1987: National Women's History Month
The entire month of March was declared National Women's History Month in 1987 in the United States, expanding the celebration and recognition of women's contributions to history.
1988: Annual Presidential Proclamations for Women's History Month Begin
Starting in 1988, US presidents began issuing annual proclamations designating March as Women's History Month, further solidifying the celebration's national significance.
1992: Women's History Month in Canada
Canada adopted Women's History Month in 1992, choosing October to coincide with the anniversary of the Edwards v. Canada court case.
1994: Congress Continues to Support Women's History Month
Between 1988 and 1994, Congress continued to pass resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women's History Month, demonstrating ongoing legislative support for the celebration.
2000: First Women's History Month in Australia
Women's History Month was first celebrated in Australia in 2000, initiated by Helen Leonard and the National Women's Media Centre, in collaboration with the Women's Electoral Lobby.
2005: Thematic Approach to Women's History Month in Australia
From 2005 onwards, Australia's Women's History Month celebrations began focusing on a different theme each year, highlighting a specific area of women's achievements and contributions.
March 2011: Release of "Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being"
In March 2011, the Obama administration released a comprehensive report titled "Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being", providing a detailed overview of women's status in the U.S. and how it had evolved over time.
2014: Women's History Month Finale: The Great Debate 2014
In 2014, the Australian Women's History Forum (AWHF) marked the end of its official Women’s History Month commemorations with "The Great Debate 2014", concluding a period of focused celebrations on women's history.
2021: Women's History Month in Hungary
In 2021, the Szent István Király Museum in Székesfehérvár acknowledged Women's History Month in Hungary through several Facebook posts. This marked the first time the event was recognized in Hungary. Also in March 2021, the Hungarian National Museum hosted an exhibition titled "Women in Art."
