8 th of March

1969, Leshev

8th of March is an International Women's day. But it seems to me that its truly celebrated only in Russia. In France, for example, it is mentioned (!), like as if it was a name day of Colette or any other cute little french name.
In Russia 8th of March is a not working day, celebrated from 1966, memorising the strike of women in St Petersburg of 1917 which caused the beginning of "February revolution". And it is, by the way, mostly named 8th of March rather than International Women's day. So in most of the times women are congratulated by  "Happy 8th of March!".
8th of march is taken seriously.
Men feel due to equalize as on the 23 of February they most probably received various congratulations and presents for Defender of Motherland Day (or simply Men's Day as any man is expected to defend if needed).
Two weeks before the holiday male students club together to by flowers for their fellow female students and teachers,   one week before kids at school start drawing number 8 decorated with flowers for their grandmothers and mothers and  other female relatives, a day before men buy flowers and hide them in the wardrobe to be presented in the morning. The flower-shops are full of tulips and although it might be around minus 5 outside and snow around , it feels like it is spring in Russia. And I think it is nice.
I ve also been congratulated/and congratulating  this morning (by) my family and by President Medvedev from his twitter, who wished Russian women spring's warmth and good mood (two always missing things for those who live in Russia :)))

A Few more vintage USSR era postcards for this day:

1974, Pashkov

1969, Chmarov





While I started to search for the most "soviet"/"sovok" ones i realized how beautiful they are. I really started to like the art of ussr times . The postcrds are taken from this website .