The Brief History of Valentine's Day

By Victoria Robertson on February 11, 2013

February 14th quickly approaches, and with it come feelings of love, lust, and even loneliness. In short, Valentine’s Day has taken over the month of February, and there are many people who still don’t know why.

Basically, Valentine’s Day is not this “made-up” holiday brought about by Hallmark, or other greeting card companies thriving off of people’s incessant spending for their loved ones.  Although there aren’t many people that will turn down a box of chocolates, it is still hard to imagine that candy is the reason for this national holiday, and that’s because, believe it or not, it isn’t.

Instead, the priest, Saint Valentine, unknowingly began this entire franchise over 1,500 years ago. History claims that soldiers were unable to get married because it was predicted that soldiers who didn’t have families and wives performed more dutifully, and so the marriage of young men was outlawed.

Saint Valentine didn’t agree with this law and took matters into his own hands.  He would perform secret marriage ceremonies for these young soldiers and their wives, which worked for quite some time, but once he was found out, Emperor Claudius II ordered him to be put to death.

Another version of this legend claims that Valentine spent some time in prison before his death, and that while imprisoned he was frequently visited by his jailor’s daughter, who he fell in love with just before he was put to death.  However, he didn’t leave her with nothing, and legend says there was a final-goodbye-note waiting for her that was signed, “From your Valentine.”

Although this story is far more heartbreaking than the Valentine’s Day industry would like us to believe, it is also a symbol of hope for couples out there, that even in a world where romance is outlawed, love can always find its way.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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