St. Valentine's Day has roots in several different legends that
have found their way to us through the ages. One of the earliest
popular symbols of the day is Cupid, the Roman god of love, who is
represented by the image of a young boy with bow and arrow.
Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman
emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods.
Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his
teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded, not only because he
was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He
supposedly cured the jailer's daughter of her blindness. The night
before he was executed, he wrote the jailer's daughter a farewell
letter, signing it "From Your Valentine." Another legend tells us that
this same Valentine, well-loved by all, received notes to his jail
cell from children and friends who missed him.
Another Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same
time, AD 200. He was imprisoned because he secretly married couples,
contrary to the laws of the Roman emperor. Some legends say he was
burned at the stake.
February 14 was also a Roman holiday, held in honor of a goddess.
Young men randomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the
festivities. The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this date spread
through Europe in the Middle Ages, and then to the early American
colonies. Throughout the ages, people also believed that birds picked
their mates on February 14!
In AD 496 Sain Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as "Valentine's
Day". Although it's not an official holiday, most Americans observe
this day.
Whatever the odd mixture of origins, St. Valentine's Day is now a
day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or loved
one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special.
Or you can send roses, the flower of love. Most people send
"valentines," a greeting card named after the notes that St. Valentine
received in jail. Valentines can be sentimental, romantic and
heartfelt. They can be funny and friendly. If the sender is shy,
valentines can be anonymous.
Americans of all ages love to send and receive valentines. Handmade
valentines created by cutting hearts out of colored paper, show that a
lot of thought was put into making them personal. Valentines can be
heart-shaped, or have hearts, the symbol of love, on them. In
elementary schools children make valentines for their classmates and
put them in a large decorated box, similar to a mailbox. On February
14, the teacher opens the box and distributes the valentines to each
student. After the students read their valentines they have a small
party with refreshments.
For teenagers and adults, major newspapers throughout the country
have a Valentine's Day offer. Anyone can send in a message, for a
small fee of course, destined for a would-be sweetheart, a good
friend, an acquaintance or even a spouse of fifty years. The message
is printed in a special section of the newspaper on February 14.