Colorful And Romantic
Valentines Day History

Where in Valentines Day history did hearts, cupids, poems, and cards come from? There is much mystery surrounding the history of Valentines Day.

The holiday is named after Saint Valentine. But who exactly was he, and how did he become the patron saint of lovers? According to legend, there were three Valentines, all honored in February:

The first was Valentine of Rome, a priest martyred in AD 270.
The second was Valentine, Bishop of Interamna (Terni, Italy) around AD 197. Some historians theorize that he and Valentine of Rome were actually the same person.
The third saint called Valentine lived and died in Africa. He is mentioned in the Catholic Encyclopedia but there is no account of his adventures leading to sainthood.

Valentines and Romance

One of the earliest references combining Valentines Day and romantic love is found in 'Parlement of Fowles' (1382), by the English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer.

It contains these fanciful lines about the mating season of birds:

For this was on
Seynt Valentyne's Day

Where every foul cometh ther
to choose his mate

Legends of St. Valentine

One tale relates that when Roman emperor Claudius II suffered a shortage of men for his armies, he forbid all young men from courtship and marriage.

Claudius believed men without sweethearts, wives, and children were more willing to leave home and fight his battles.

The priest Valentine gladdened the hearts of many young lovers. He conducted marriage ceremonies in secret against the Emperor's ruling.

He was eventually caught and put to death around AD 270, but by then he had become the hero of surreptitious love and yearning.

One plausible story speaks of St. Valentine's devotion to his faith, and his love for Christianity. He dedicated himself to ministering to Christians suffering under harsh Roman rule.

This account suggests he was martyred not for marrying couples against the emperor's edict, but for refusing to renounce his Christian beliefs.

During the time Valentine was imprisoned by the Emperor Claudius, so the legend goes, well-wishers opposed to the emperor's law brought him small tokens of gratitude: sweet tidbits, flowers, and handwritten notes expressing faith in the value of love.

Valentine was said to have befriended his jailer's daughter, a sweet soul who was kind to him.

Just before he was sent to execution, he wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine."

First Valentine Poems

Charles, Duke of Orleans is credited with sending the first real valentines. A French nobleman captured by the British during the Battle of Agincourt (1415), he spent the next 25 years as a prisoner of war.

During his imprisonment he wrote hundreds of poems, many of them couched as love letters to his wife, Bonne of Armagnac.

First Valentine Cards

In France and England during the 1400's ornate, handmade cards became popular to celebrate St. Valentines as well as New Year's Day.

Each new wave of European immigrants to America added to our Valentines Day History. They brought colorful new Valentine customs....cards featuring lace, ribbons, cupids, hearts, and merry verse.

When printing and postage became available in America during the 1800's the popularity of Valentine's Day cards spread across the nation.

Merchants eagerly seized upon the holiday to capitalize upon our weakness for sweet treats. The most common gifts given on Valentine's Day are flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals, jewelry, and balloons.

Valentines Day History
In Other Countries

The holiday is celebrated in different ways around the world. Here are a few:

America, France, Germany, Spain, and England celebrate Valentine's Day in traditional fashion with flowers, sweet gifts, and cards for our mates, sweethearts, parents, and friends.
Denmark and Norway celebrate Valentinsdag by spending time with loved ones and sending cards.
In Finland, Valentine's Day is called "Friend's Day" and is celebrated by remembrance of close friends.
Women in Japan and Korea celebrate Valentine's Day by giving chocolates, candy, or floral gifts to friends, male co-workers and loved ones. In return, on White Day, March 14th, men give gifts to the women who acknowledged them on Valentine's day.
In the Middle East, Turkey's version of Valentine's Day is called "Sweet Hearts Day."
Persians celebrate a day for love "Sepandarmazgan" on the 17th of February.
In late August, Israel celebrates an equivalent to Valentine's Day. Her citizens proclaim love, propose marriage, and give loving gifts.
Slovenian culture celebrates February 14th as the day that plants and flowers begin to grow and work begins in the fields.