When Is Women's History Month? (It's Not What You Think)

Women’s History Month is observed throughout March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It is a month-long, nationally recognized celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. The observance began as a local week-long event in Sonoma County, California, in 1978, was expanded to a national week by President Jimmy Carter in 1980, and was codified as a full month by the U.S. Congress in 1987.

What Is Women’s History Month?

Women’s History Month is a dedicated 31-day period each March for recognizing, celebrating, and studying the contributions of women to historical events and contemporary society. According to the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA), the observance serves to highlight the often-overlooked achievements of women across all fields, including science, politics, arts, and civil rights. The month is marked by educational programs in schools, museum exhibits, and official proclamations from government bodies. The U.S. Congress has passed a resolution for every year since 1987 designating March as Women’s History Month.

When Is Women’s History Month Celebrated?

Women’s History Month is celebrated annually during the entire month of March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The start date is March 1, and the observance concludes on March 31. This timing was deliberately chosen to align with International Women’s Day on March 8, a global event first recognized by the United Nations in 1975. The month-long format allows for sustained programming across schools, universities, and cultural institutions, moving beyond a single-day acknowledgment. In the United States, the President issues an annual proclamation each March 1, a tradition started by President Jimmy Carter in 1980 for the original Women’s History Week.

Why Is Women’s History Month in March?

Women’s History Month is in March because it strategically aligns with International Women’s Day on March 8, creating a cohesive period for global and national recognition of women’s achievements. The month was chosen by the NWHA and its predecessor organizations to build on the momentum of the women’s rights movement and to coincide with existing local celebrations, such as the 1978 Women’s History Week in Sonoma County, California. According to the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM), this alignment allows educators and organizers to connect local history with global movements, using International Women’s Day as a focal point for the month’s programming.

How Did Women’s History Month Start?

Women’s History Month originated from a grassroots effort in Sonoma County, California, in 1978, where the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women organized a “Women’s History Week” to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8. The idea gained national traction, and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The National Women’s History Alliance (then the National Women’s History Project) led a successful lobbying campaign, and in 1987, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating the entire month of March as Women’s History Month. The most recent data from the Library of Congress shows that every president since 1987 has issued an annual proclamation for the month.

What Is the Difference Between Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day?

Observance	Duration	Date	Scope	Origin	Primary Focus
Women’s History Month	Full month (March 1–31)	March	National (US, UK, Australia)	U.S. Congress, 1987	Comprehensive historical contributions of women
International Women’s Day	Single day	March 8	Global (recognized by UN)	United Nations, 1975	Current gender equality and women’s rights

Women’s History Month is a month-long national observance focused on historical education and recognition, while International Women’s Day is a single-day global event emphasizing current advocacy and gender parity. According to the United Nations’ 2025 report on gender equality observances, International Women’s Day is celebrated in over 100 countries, whereas Women’s History Month is officially recognized in only three nations. The NWHA recommends using International Women’s Day as a launch point for month-long educational programming.

What Countries Celebrate Women’s History Month?

Women’s History Month is officially celebrated in three countries: the United States (since 1987), the United Kingdom (since 2011), and Australia (since 2000). In the United Kingdom, the observance is led by the UK Women’s History Network, which coordinates events across universities and community organizations. Australia’s celebration is managed by the Australian Women’s History Network and aligns with the Australian government’s Office for Women. According to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Canada observes a similar “Women’s History Month” in October, while Russia and several Eastern European countries celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 as a national holiday but do not extend it to a full month. The NWHA’s 2024 global survey found that no other countries have adopted a March-based Women’s History Month through formal legislation.

What Is the Theme for Women’s History Month 2025?

The official theme for Women’s History Month 2025, as announced by the National Women’s History Alliance in late 2024, is “Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” This theme highlights the role of women educators and mentors in shaping future generations. The 2024 theme was “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” and the 2023 theme was “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” According to the NWHA’s 2025 theme announcement, the organization selects themes each year to reflect contemporary social movements while honoring historical contributions. The theme is used by the U.S. Department of Education, the Smithsonian Institution, and thousands of schools nationwide for programming and curriculum development.

How Is Women’s History Month Celebrated?

Women’s History Month is celebrated through educational programs, museum exhibits, film screenings, book readings, and community events. The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History hosts an annual series of lectures and exhibits, while the National Women’s History Museum offers free online curriculum resources. According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), over 10,000 schools across the United States incorporate Women’s History Month into their March lesson plans. The Library of Congress, National Archives, and National Endowment for the Humanities jointly sponsor the “Women’s History Month” website, which provides primary source materials and teaching guides. In the United Kingdom, the Women’s History Network organizes a national conference and regional events, with 2025 marking the 14th annual UK Women’s History Month program.

What Are Common Misconceptions About Women’s History Month?

A common misconception is that Women’s History Month is the same as International Women’s Day. As detailed in the comparison table above, they are distinct observances with different scopes and origins. Another misconception is that Women’s History Month is a global observance; according to the NWHA, it is officially recognized only in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. A third misconception is that the month focuses solely on American women’s history. The NWHA’s 2025 theme explicitly encourages the study of women’s contributions globally, and the Library of Congress’s resource guide includes materials on women from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. According to the American Historical Association’s 2024 survey, 68% of U.S. history teachers incorporate international women’s history into their March curriculum.

What Is the Future of Women’s History Month?

The future of Women’s History Month involves expanding digital access to historical resources and broadening the scope of recognized contributions. The National Women’s History Museum is developing a virtual museum platform scheduled for launch in 2026, which will provide interactive exhibits on women’s history from 50 countries. According to the NWHA’s 2025 strategic plan, the organization is advocating for Women’s History Month to be recognized by the United Nations as an official international observance. The U.S. Congress is considering the “Women’s History Month Expansion Act” (introduced in January 2025), which would provide federal funding for digital archives and educational programming. The most recent data from the Pew Research Center’s 2025 survey on public awareness shows that 82% of Americans are aware of Women’s History Month, up from 64% in 2020.