The History of Valentines Day
Valentines day. Each year on this day, cards, flowers, candy, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones in the name of a certain St. Valentine. But do we even think to ask who this saint is and why he gets to have his own holiday?
There has always been mystery surrounding the history of this holiday and there are at least a couple of theories in circulation as to the origins of this holiday. St. Valentine's Day, as we have come to celebrate it today, is a tradition rooted in both Christian and ancient Roman history.
Saint Valentine is possibly one of 3 Catholic saints who have been martyered.
One Legend argues that Valentine was a priest during third century Rome. An emperor of that time named Claudius II who decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military base. Saint Valentine, recognizing that this decree was unjust chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II discovered Valentine's actions he had Saint Valentine put to death.
Another theory has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor's daughter. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. Before he was put to death, wrote her a letter and signed it 'Your Valentine', a phrase still used today in Valentine Greeting Cards today.
We may never know the exact details about history of Valentines Day or Saint Valentine himself. But here are some more fun facts that we do know about Valentines Day
- According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)
- February has been the month to celebrate love for a long time, dating back all the way to the Middle Ages
- Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D.
- The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415.
- Approximately 85 percent of all valentines day cards are purchased by women.
- In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
