What’s The Purpose of Valentine’s Day?

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Valentine’s Day is celebrated every year on February 14th. Why do we celebrate it? What is important about Valentine’s Day?

St. Valentine

No one knows the true story of St. Valentine. Many have said that are three different saints that were considered ‘St. Valentine’. One story is about St. Valentine being a Catholic priest during the third century Rome. This took place when Emperor Claudius II discouraged against married and thought that single men made better soldiers. After a few years, he outlawed marriage for young men. Regardless of Claudius rule, St. Valentine secretly performed marriages for young couples. After finding out what had been happening, Claudius sent St. Valentine to prison and was eventually martyred on February 14th. While Valentine was in prison, he healed sick children.

Valentine’s Day Facts

“Valentine’s Day is celebrated every February 14 as couples across the globe honor their spouses, partners and sweethearts. Hundreds of years of traditions and customs have made it into the holiday that we observe today. Here are some interesting facts about the holiday dedicated to love.”

  • Letters sent to “Juliet”- Every year, many letters are sent to Verona, Italy addressed to Juliet from Shakespeare’s tale of “Romeo and Juliet”. “the letters that reach the city are dutifully answered by a team of volunteers from the Juliet Club. Each year, on Valentine’s Day, the club awards the “Cara Giulietta” (“Dear Juliet”) prize to the author of the most touching love letter.”
  • Chocolate- “The Valentine’s Day tradition of giving a box of candy was started in the 19th century by Richard Cadbury, a scion of a British chocolate manufacturing family. With a new technique recently established at the company to create more varieties of chocolate, Cadbury pounced on the opportunity to sell the chocolates as part of the beloved holiday.”
  • The First Valentine- The first valentine that was written took place in prison. Charles, Duke of Orleans was captured at the Battle of Agincourt. He was a prisoner for more than 20 years. He sent a valentine to his second wife.
  • XOXO- When we sign a valentine, more often then not, we sign it with “xoxo” meaning hugs and kisses. ‘X’ became a signal of kiss when “x” was used to sign off documents. “After marking with an X, the writer would often kiss the mark as a sign of their oath. As the gesture grew among kings and commoners to certify books, letters and paperwork, these records were described as having been “sealed with a kiss.””
  • “Vinegar Valentines”-“During the Victoria Era, those who didn’t want the attention of certain suitors would anonymously send “vinegar valentines.” These cards, also called penny dreadfuls, were the antithesis of customary valentines, comically insulting and rejecting unwanted admirers. They were later used to target suffragettes in the late 19th and early 20th century.”

Today, Valentines Day is celebrated to honor your spouses, partners, sweethearts, and loved ones.

We hope you have a wonderful day with those you love.