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Berlin Marks International Women's Day As A Public Holiday For The First Time

Residents of Berlin are off work after the region's government made March 8 a public holiday. International Women's Day goes back to German rights advocate Clara Zetkin.
People pass a banner that reads: "We fight for freedom, security and equal rights" in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Friday in Berlin.

Millions of Germans will for the first time join citizens of more than 20 countries in celebrating International Women's Day as a public holiday Friday.

March 8 is now a public holiday in the city-state of Berlin after its parliament approved the change in January. in Russia and Cuba as well as parts of Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa.

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