To those of you celebrating Valentine's day without knowing the history behind it continue reading.
The most popular Saint Valentine, and the one frequently attributed with fathering Valentine’s Day, was a Roman priest during the third century, serving under Emperor Claudius. Emperor Claudius believed that single men made better soldiers than those married and with families, and passed a law making marriage illegal for all young men. Valentine recognized the horror of this law and continued to marry young couples in secret, effectively defying his Emperor.
When Claudius discovered Valentine’s acts of defiance, he had him killed immediately. Valentine was later canonized by the Vatican and, in the 5th century, February 14th was named his feast day, the day designated by the church to honor and commemorate a saint’s life.
Still, other people believe that February 14th’s designation as a day of love, comes out of something far less bloody than a martyred saint. In France and England, February 14th is the beginning of the birds’ mating season, which symbolizes love, fertility, and the promise of spring.
Valentine’s day is celebrated in several countries throughout the world, including Mexico, France, England, Australia, Africa and of course The United States. The day began to rise in popularity around the 17th century, where it was not uncommon for friends to exchange gifts and notes of affection. The first Valentine’s Day card was believed to be sold in 1840 by Esther Howland, also known as The Mother of the Valentine, and this day
So whether you’re celebrating this V-day with your babe, your bff, or your couch and Netflix, take comfort in the fact that this holiday is actually historically rooted in something worth celebrating: love.
celebrate love today and don't forget to share with one another