The Legend of Valentines Day

Its almost Valentines Day again. It's time to show our loved ones how much we love them. Valentines Day is celebrated in February 14Th every year. We all rush to find that special gift or card to express our feelings to the ones we love. Did you ever wonder how Valentines Day really came about?

Valentines Day is actually known after Saint Valentine. The Catholic Church actually acknowledges three different men by the name of Valentine. All of them were martyred. There are at least three legends of why Valentines Day became what it is today. Here is the one legend that is my favorite.

Valentine sent a greeting to a young girl whom he fell in love with. He did this while he was imprisoned. The girl that he had been in love with may have been his jailer's daughter. She frequently visited him while he was in prison. Before his death he had written her one last letter that had been signed, "From your Valentine." This legend sparked what is the Valentines Day rituals we celebrate today. Nobody really knows if this legend is fact. They never really state why he was imprisoned.

There are many uncertain ideas of what really happened to Valentine. Some historians think he was beheaded. Others say he was stricken with an illness while he was imprisoned and died. One thing that rings true is that pope Gelasius declared February 14Th as Valentines day in an effort to Christianize the pagan holiday festival.

The story of romance of Saint Valentine has inspired us.

Throughout the years Valentines Day has evolved into a time of exchanging love messages. The spirit of charity continues as Valentines are sent with verses of love. Adults exchange their Valentines Day cards to their significant other. According to Hallmark over 188 million Valentines Day cards are now exchanged yearly. According to The US Census press 2.2 million people get married on Valentines Day each year. People spend 397 million dollars worth of cut flowers a year on their beloved.

Sources:

http://www.history.com/minisites/valentine/

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/006116.html