History of Valentine’s Day
Ever wonder how Valentine’s Day came to be? It began many years ago, and the extent to which it has evolved is simply amazing. We celebrate February 14th by delivering flowers, giving gifts, and gathering with loved ones. We also attend parties, order pizzas shaped like hearts, and go on romantic dinners. Regardless of how you spend your Valentine’s Day, it has become a day for expressing love to one another. Its origin dates all the way back to the 5th Century, and it would take many years to become the holiday of love that it is today.
Story of St. Valentine
Much mystery surrounds the story of Valentine’s Day, as well as St. Valentine, who is credited to have brought about the holiday. There’s a couple different saints named Valentine that have been recognized, but only one saint in particular is likely the reason for the holiday. According to popular legend, the Emperor Claudius II believed men who were single made for better soldiers than men who were married with families. For that reason, Claudius outlawed all marriages, so Valentine arranged marriages in secret. The bad news is that once Claudius discovered this, he ordered Valentine to be killed.
While some legends differ, they all suggest that he was kind, heroic, and romantic. In a letter written to his love, Valentine used the phrase, “From your Valentine,” coining the famous line we still use today.
When It Changed To What It Is Today
Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday didn’t come to be acknowledged till the14th century. The use of valentines being exchanged and greeting cards began in the 1500s. By the 1800s, valentine’s cards were widely seen in stores in the U.S and gifts were incorporated into the Valentine’s Day tradition.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Check out our Spotify playlist below to get you ready for the special day. We will be releasing a new mix every Monday, so don’t forget to check it out and we hope you enjoy!
Hayley Alvarez
[spotify
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/24YJMyGRdKFzPlBkhAwIkg]