A Brief History of Valentines Day
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Valentines Day is a day to express
your love, and to celebrate the spirit of love. Valentines Day falls on
February 14th and is the traditional day that lovers send each other
Valentine’s gifts or cards. Actually, it's always a good time to celebrate
romance, but this is the time that society, at the prodding of greeting card
and chocolate manufacturers, sets aside especially for such amorous
festivities. More recently the holiday and tradition of gift giving has
expanded to include friends and family members as well. Though the modern
tradition of classmates giving a Valentine card to every member of the class
has been questioned as being somewhat inappropriate, the tradition continues to
this day.
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are
exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this
mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of
Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do
know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we
know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.
So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient
rite.
The holiday is named after two Christian martyrs named Valentine.
Nothing is known about the lives of these martyrs. Many of the current legends
surrounding them were invented in the late Middle Ages in France and England,
when the feast day of February 14 became associated with romantic
love.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first
'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine
fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter --
who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he
wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your
Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the
truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize
his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.
It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular
saints in England and France.
It wasn’t until the High Middle Ages
that the Valentines Day tradition centered on romantic love. The earliest
surviving Valentine Day gift is a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of
Orleans to his wife. The duke was being held prisoner in the Tower of London
after his capture during the Battle of Agincourt.
On Valentine’s
Day in Paris in the year 1400 a High Court of Love was established to hear
cases dealing with love contracts, romantic betrayals and violent acts against
women. In this court of love, women could choose judges to hear their case
based on the poetry read by each prospective judge.
Valentine’s
Day traditions were imported to North America in the 19th century. Around 1850
mass produced Valentines began to be created and given to loved ones. These
were made of embossed paper and lace.
During the latter half of the
20th century Valentines Day gifts such as roses and chocolates began to be
given, usually from a man to a woman. More recently more costly items such as
diamond jewelry have become popular.
Those without a significant other
sometimes speak of Valentine’s Day as Singles’ Awareness Day. When
the Nickelodeon show Blue’s Clues attempted to refer to the day as Love
Day a big controversy with the Catholic Church concerning the Catholic Saint
Valentine ensued.
Recent Holiday Articles
History and
Celebrations
Celebrated on February 14 every year, Saint Valentines Day
or Valentines Day is the traditional day on which lovers convey their love to
each other by sending Valentines cards, sometimes even anonymously.
Gift Ideas
Whatever way
you choose to celebrate the holiday make it count for something special. Get
inspired, be inventive, and most importantly, give from the heart!
Courtship After
Marriage
Imagine a romance where both husband and wife are happy,
nurtured, and fulfilled. Imagine a relationship that can survive the test of
time and the pressures from society to become a strong, firm foundation for the
entire family.
For Married
Couples
Making Valentines Day special is important for each of you to
really enjoy the day. Do something different, set aside a block of time and
make it mean something to each of you. Then, it will be a day to remember even
though you are married.
Holiday For
Lovers
This holiday in February is a time for love and passion and
showing those whom we care about just how special they are.
Valentines Day Video
Page
Watch and enjoy these videos.
