How did the mimosa become a symbol of March 8?

Flowers have accompanied March 8 literally since the very beginning of women's struggle for their rights. In 1857, in New York, women went on a demonstration with bread and roses: baked goods symbolized social protection, while flowers with thorns – high living standards. 

In 1918, Russia became the first country in the world where the rights of women and men became equal. A year later, a new holiday appeared in the country, which was celebrated on March 8 – International Female Workers' Day, which was renamed International Women's Day in 1921. 

The tradition of giving women flowers on this day appeared a little later, in the 1930s. At that time, Nadezhda Krupskaya, the wife of Vladimir Lenin, was the Deputy People's Commissar of Education. She was also involved in organizing various celebrations. Rumor has it that a factory worker once asked her how best to congratulate women on March 8 – although the name of the holiday had changed, the holiday was initially established to celebrate achievements at work.

So, Krupskaya replied: “You need to give flowers!” However, in those days, it turned out that the only flower you could realistically buy at the very beginning of spring was a mimosa. 

Since then, bunches or sprigs of delicately scented mimosa have become a symbol of the holiday. And, in the 1970s, tulips also gained popularity. An employee at the ‘Riga Ziezds’ agricultural enterprise specially grew 40,000 of these flowers for the holiday.

Because of this, he became a news sensation – and, suddenly, tulips were as popular as the mimosa!