VALENTINE’S DAY PROPOSAL ROBBERY
What Is Valentine’s Day?
On February 14, we think about people we love. We also think about friends. We may send these special people messages called valentines. It is fun to make or choose these decorated greetings. It feels good to get them! We sometimes give and get gifts. February 14 is Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is not a national holiday. Schools, government offices, and businesses are open on February 14. Still, Valentine’s Day has been observed as a special day for a long time.
How Did Valentine’s Day Begin?
Before Christianity, people in Rome sang, danced, and feasted on February 15. Their calendar put February in springtime. They welcomed the returning birds. They thought about starting families themselves. The names of young women were put in a bowl. When a man picked out a name, he was supposed to have found his love! Later, Christian church leaders tied these customs to stories about Valentine. He was a priest in the city of Rome. He lived in the third century. He was named a saint after his death.
Who Was Saint Valentine?
One story says that Valentine helped young people in love. Soldiers were not allowed to marry. As a priest, Valentine broke this law. He secretly married couples who came to him. Another story says that Valentine refused to give up Christianity. He was put in prison. A guard there had a blind daughter. Gentle Valentine became her friend. He wrote her a letter, signed “from your Valentine.” When the girl held this letter, she was suddenly able to see! Rome’s ruler had Valentine killed on February 14. It became his special day.
What Did People Believe About Valentine’s Day?
Love remained important on Valentine’s Day. In France and Italy, feasts were held. Young men and women paired off. However, these couples did not always find true love together. After many years, the governments stopped these feasts. There were foolish ideas about the day, too. In England, women thought they would marry the man they dreamed about on Valentine’s Day. In Italy, women believed they would marry the first man they saw on Valentine’s Day. Love is still important today, though. Many couples get engaged or married on February 14.
How Has Valentine’s Day Changed?
People no longer believe that Valentine’s Day brings true love. Many people, though, not just Christians, use this day to send messages of love. Valentine’s Day was once just about romantic love. Today, valentines are sent to family and friends, too. Valentines are usually gentle and sweet, but some have jokes. Before most people could read, valentines were spoken or sung. Today, they are usually written. All valentines were once handmade. Today, many cards are manufactured. Valentine shapes and decorations continue to suggest love.
What Are Some Symbols of Valentine’s Day?
The heart is the main symbol of Valentine’s Day. It is said to be the center of feelings. Many valentines are heart-shaped. Because real hearts are red or pink, these colors are important on Valentine’s Day. Flowers that first appear in spring are popular on valentines. Birds and butterflies that return each spring also decorate valentines. Some valentines show a young boy with wings. He is holding a bow and arrow. This is Cupid, an ancient god of Rome. People believed that someone hit by Cupid’s arrow would fall in love.
What Is the Story of Valentine Cards?
In the past, people gave handmade valentines in person. Often, these paper valentines were cut or folded in fancy ways. In the nineteenth century, it became cheaper to mail letters. People wanted to send more cards. Companies began to manufacture valentines. Most of these companies were in England and the United States. Valentine cards had many decorations. Lace, ribbons, and feathers were added. Some cards had pockets that hid treats. Some valentines even had parts that moved. Famous artists sometimes created the pictures for valentines.
How Is It Observed in the United States?
Romantic valentines are popular. Family and friends give each other valentines, too. In schools, children also observe Valentine’s Day. There are parties, games, and cards. One custom is the valentine box. Each student gets a card from everyone else in class. These valentines sometimes show cartoon or movie characters. Red hearts or Cupids decorate rooms. People enjoy heart-shaped cakes, cookies, and candy. Giving chocolates in a heart-shaped box is one custom. Sometimes people give flowers or jewelry. Dances are another custom on Valentine’s Day.
How Is It Observed Around the World?
Valentine’s Day is a special time in other countries, too. In England, mailboxes are stuffed with cards on this day. Children as well as adults get valentines and sweet treats. Some valentine customs differ. For example, red roses are most popular in the United States, Germany, and Mexico. In Denmark, though, white flowers called snowdrops are the valentine favorite. The United States and England are the countries with the most Valentine’s Day customs
Glossary
Christianity-the faith that believes Jesus Christ is the son of God
Cupid–ancient Roman god of romantic love; also, the son of Venus, goddess of love
Custom-something regularly done by a group of people
Lace-cloth with many patterns made by narrow threads romantic
Love–love that can lead to marriage or to two people choosing to spend their lives together
Symbol-something that represents something else
Rome-a city that long ago ruled many lands
Valentines-written and decorated messages of love
Did You Know?
• There may have been two priests named Valentine. This is why there are different stories about this saint.
• The oldest paper valentine ever found was written about 1415. It is kept in the British Museum in London.
• Some sailors used knives to carve their valentines on whale bones.
