Ah, February is here again and it's time to celebrate Valentine's Day. Some people celebrate with chocolates and others give flowers, while many use it as a perfect excuse to go out and enjoy a fancy, romantic dinner. We all like to celebrate in our own ways, but what exactly is the origin of this love-filled holiday? The answer may surprise you! In today’s blog, we’re going to talk about the holiday’s ancient origins and even some ways in which it is celebrated around the world, outside of the United States. If you have any fun Valentine’s Day traditions or stories, we’d love to hear them in the comments.
The Origin Of The First Valentine
Ancient Rome. Their civilization may have fallen, but their traditions will live on forever.
Like many holidays celebrated in the U.S. and around the world, this special day has its origins in ancient Rome. Around the year 270AD the Roman emperor at the time Claudius II had outlawed marriage for his soldiers, believing that young unmarried men would be better fighters and less likely to leave the military service to be with their family. A Christian priest named Valentine defied the emperor and performed marriage ceremonies for young couples in secret. When he was eventually discovered, Claudius had him put to death and while Valentine was awaiting his execution, he wrote a heartfelt letter to the jailor’s daughter with the now-familiar signature “from your Valentine.” Years later, the church recognized Valentine’s sacrifice and promoted him to sainthood and designated February 14th to be his day of remembrance and the holiday gradually took on a more romantic meaning. Writers like Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare helped transform it into the celebration of love it is today.
The Origin Of Valentine’s Day Traditions In The United States
Valentine’s Day is about as popular as it is divisive among Americans these days. While many across the country look forward to it as a way to commemorate their love of their romantic partner, many single individuals dread the day as it is just another reminder that they are single and it feels like the whole world is just rubbing that fact in their face. Either way, Valentine’s Day in the U.S. is a big deal! Did you know that it is the holiday that involves the most card-giving outside of Christmas?
Modern traditions for the day started in the 19th century. A woman by the name of Esther Howland from Boston who is known as the Mother of the American Valentine had a novel idea. She made cards that people could buy that were lace-trimmed and beautifully decorated that were a perfect way to say “I love you” to your romantic interest. By the early 1900’s, Hallmark Cards took that concept and ran with it.
Billions of dollars are spent on Valentine’s Day related products and services each year in the United States. The most popular traditions include exchanging greeting cards, gifting red roses, sharing boxes of chocolate, and enjoying romantic dinners. Jewelry, especially heart-shaped pieces, is also a popular gift.
So, the next time you are shopping for your Valentine, remember that this all started because of an ancient roman priest and an entrepreneurial woman from Massachusetts.
Conclusion
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