International Women's Day (IWD) celebrates "the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future."Official Site: International Women's Day

IWD was established in the early 1900s and is an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. To celebrate the annual holiday, men may present their mothers, wives, girlfriends and colleagues with flowers, small gifts or a token of appreciation. In some countries International Women's Day is equivalent to Mother's Day.Official Site: International Women's Day

• On March 5, 2009, the documentary, A Powerful Noise, will be featured in 450 movie theaters across the United States. The one-night event honoring International Women's Day includes a screening of the documentary which will be followed by a town hall discussion which will be broadcast live from New York City to each of the 450 theaters. The discussion will be hosted by Ann Curry and include former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, actress and activist Natalie Portman, former supermodel and CARE advocate Christy Turlington Burns, New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof and CARE President and CEO Helene D. Gayle, M.D., M.P.H.Official Site: A Powerful Noise

• 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girlsOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 2008: Investing in women and girlsOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 2007: Ending impunity for violence against Women and girlsOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 2006: Women in decision-making
• 2005: Gender Equality, building a More Secure FutureOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 2004: Women and HIV/AIDSOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 2003: Gender Equality and the millennium development goalsOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 2002: Afghan women today; realities and opportunitiesOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 2001: Women and Peace; women managing conflictsOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 2000: Women Uniting for PeaceOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 1999: World Free of Violence against WomenOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 1998: Women and human rightsOfficial Site: International Women's Day
• 1997: Women at the Peace Table
• 1996: Celebrating the past, planning for the futureOfficial Site: International Women's Day