Every year on 14 February, many countries around the world, flowers, thoughtful and romantic gifts are exchanged between loved ones because it’s Valentine’s Day. Besides the gifting, wining and dining on Valentine’s Day, what else do you know about this love day?
Valentine’s Day originated as a Western Christian feast day honouring one or two early saints named Valentinus. There is a story about Saint Valentine of Rome’s imprisonment for performing weddings for soldiers who were not allowed to get married, and for caring for Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to the story, during his time in prison Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his judge. Before he was due for execution he wrote a farewell letter to the judge’s daughter signing off as “Your Valentine”
The history of Valentine’s Day is obscure and further blurred by various whimsical story versions.
Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages though written Valentine’s were not seen until after 1400. Over the centuries, Valentine’s Day evolved and by the 18th century, gift giving and exchanging cards on Valentine’s Day became common in England. Giving of Valentine’s Day cards and gifts featuring cupids and hearts ultimately spread to America.
