Origin of Valentine’s Day

We all know that February 14th is celebrated as Valentine’s day worldwide including the United States. Candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones on this day. But the fact is that only a few know the real reason behind this celebration. If you are thinking of swooning over the history of Valentine’s day, it is not actually a happy story. 

February has long been celebrated as a month of romance remembering St. Valentine. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with Valentine’s day?

Many believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial. St Valentine is believed to be a priest who served during the third century in Rome.The emperor then, Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families. St Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When the emperor found this out he ordered that St Valentine should be put to death.

There is another story which claims that St Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. 

Another story contends that it was all to do with an imprisoned priest who fell in love with one of his visitors and began writing letters to her.

Whatever may be the real story, the way we celebrate Valentine's Day has transformed over time. The modern iteration of the holiday with all its rosy hearts and kisses has quite a bubbly feel compared to its origin story.