National Women's Day (Zulu: Usuku Lwabesifazane; Afrikaans: Nasionale Vrouedag) is a South African public holiday celebrated annually on 9 August. The day commemorates the 1956 march of approximately 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to petition against the country's pass laws that required South Africans defined as "black" under The Population Registration Act to carry an internal passport, known as a passbook, that served to maintain population segregation, control urbanisation, and manage migrant labour during the apartheid era. The first National Women's Day was celebrated on 9 August 1995. In 2006, a reenactment of the march was staged for its 50th anniversary, with many of the 1956 march veterans.
South Africa celebrates the first National Women's Day
National Women's Day (Zulu: Usuku Lwabesifazane; Afrikaans: Nasionale Vrouedag) is a South African public holiday celebrated annually on 9 August.
Historical Significance
National Women's Day (Zulu: Usuku Lwabesifazane; Afrikaans: Nasionale Vrouedag) is a South African public holiday celebrated annually on 9 August.
Events Before
Aleksandr Popov swims a world record 100m freestyle of 47.83 seconds
Aleksandr Popov swims a world record 100m freestyle of 47.83 seconds
Kathleen Kinmont files for divorce from Lorenzo Lamas
Lorenzo Fernando Lamas is an American actor and producer. He is widely known for his role of Lance Cumson, the irresponsible grandson of Angela Channing—played by Jane Wyman—in the soap opera Falcon...
Kapil Dev takes 2/41 as India beats Sri Lanka by an innings and 95 runs in 2nd Cricket Test in Bengaluru; equals Sir Ric
Kapil Dev takes 2/41 as India beats Sri Lanka by an innings and 95 runs in 2nd Cricket Test in Bengaluru; equals Sir Richard Hadlee's world record of 431 Test wickets
The Church of England ordains its first 32 female priests at the Bristol Cathedral in Bristol, England [1]
On 12 March 1994, 32 women were ordained as Church of England priests for the first time in history.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. divorces Emily Black
Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., also known by his initials RFK Jr., is an American politician, environmental lawyer, author, conspiracy theorist, and anti-vaccine activist serving as the 26th United...
Events After
After 27 years, Betty Rubble debuts as a Flintstone chewable vitamin character
After 27 years, Betty Rubble debuts as a Flintstone chewable vitamin character
Princess of Rock Lisa Marie Presley files for divorce from King of Pop Michael Jackson in NYC
Princess of Rock Lisa Marie Presley files for divorce from King of Pop Michael Jackson in NYC
"ER" TV actress Yvette Freeman (39) weds musical director Lawny Hartley (49) in Dunleith, Delaware
"ER" TV actress Yvette Freeman (39) weds musical director Lawny Hartley (49) in Dunleith, Delaware
The 6,138th performance of "Cats" is held in London, surpassing the record of Broadway's longest-running musical, "A Cho
The 6,138th performance of "Cats" is held in London, surpassing the record of Broadway's longest-running musical, "A Chorus Line"
Death Row/Interscope Records releases rapper Tupac Shakur's fourth studio album "All Eyez on Me," his final release duri
Death Row/Interscope Records releases rapper Tupac Shakur's fourth studio album "All Eyez on Me," his final release during his lifetime
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on August 9, 1995?
- National Women's Day (Zulu: Usuku Lwabesifazane; Afrikaans: Nasionale Vrouedag) is a South African public holiday celebrated annually on 9 August. The day commemorates the 1956 march of approximately 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to petition against the country's pass laws that required South Africans defined as "black" under The Population Registration Act to carry an internal passport, known as a passbook, that served to maintain population segregation, control urbanisation, and manage migrant labour during the apartheid era. The first National Women's Day was celebrated on 9 August 1995.
- Why is South Africa celebrates the first National Women's Day significant?
- National Women's Day (Zulu: Usuku Lwabesifazane; Afrikaans: Nasionale Vrouedag) is a South African public holiday celebrated annually on 9 August.