The March

More than 20,000 women had a peaceful protest on the Union Buildings to protest the Urban Areas Act of 1950.

National Women's Day is Born

The holiday was written as a national holiday and it was celebrated for the very first time commemorating it.

A Statue is Put Up

On one of the many celebrated National Women’s Day occasions, the Malibongwe Embokodweni statue is erected to honor the event in 1956.

Reenactment

The 50th Anniversary of the original protest. A march reenactment is held.

The goal is the same%2c empowering women! But while National Women’s Day is more about the liberation and empowerment of South African women%2c International Women’s Day is more about all women from any region.

There are reenactments that are televised and you can hold a viewing party and try and do your own respectful reenactment.

Of course%2c this holiday is about South African women and celebrating with them the greatness they have achieved. Celebrating is about honoring the past and keeping the spirit of the holiday alive.

There are plenty of events and protests to attend that help raise awareness and empower women.

Every year the event is televised and reenactments are held. Hosting a viewing party is the perfect way to celebrate if you can't be there in person.

In 2006 the first reenactment of the original protest was held and every year there is another reenactment held. Spectating or signing up to participate is a great way to honor the history behind the day.

Women were still held as subordinate to men in 1902 — society held them in a position of inferiority.

White women were the only ones that had actually gained the right to vote in 1930 and it took twenty years to get that passed.

The Alexandra Women's Council in the 1940s became active in squatting related issues and established the Women of the Crossroads.

Women from different ethnicities and social backgrounds used to meet every Thursday.

In 1965 women of color in the U.S. finally earned the right to vote.

Having a day to commemorate the history and the fights that women have fought is a great way to remember and ensure progress in the future.

Women have had a lot of obstacles to go through and having days like these helps to raise awareness on just how far women have come.

Women have had a long forged path of fighting for freedom and this day honors all the sacrifices women have made throughout South African history.