The History of Valentine’s Day: Part 2

By: Elizebeth Patrick

Elizabeth Patrick 

Did you know that according to “50 Bits of Valentine’s Day Trivia, You Probably Didn’t know” states that “passing out Valentines is a 600-year-old tradition?” The oldest record of a Valentine is a poem Charles, the Duke of Orleans, wrote to his wife when he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415, in which he refers to his wife as his “Valentine”. People believe that there are two different theories about the origin of Valentine’s Day.

The first theory is that some believe that the day derives from Lupercalia, which was a raucous Roman festival on February 15th where men stripped naked and spanked young maidens in the hopes of increasing their fertility. The second theory is that while Roman Emperor Claudius II was trying to bolster his army, he forbade young men to marry. In the spirit of love, St. Valentine defied the ban and performed secret marriages, and for his disobedience, Valentine was executed on February 14 around the year 270 A.D. The first known official celebration of Saint Valentine’s Day took place in Paris on February 14, 1400, which is when King Charles VI of France established the High court of love.

Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day each year on February 14th by sending cards or letters, giving gifts such as chocolates or flowers, and having meals in restaurants. Most adults see this special day as an opportunity to offer expensive gifts such as jewelry to their sweetheart. School-age children often exchange Valentine’s cards and candy with their classmates. Sometimes students will make their own Valentine’s cards in class, which are usually decorated with images of hearts, red roses, or Cupid. In conclusion, Valentine’s Day is a time for school-aged children to share Valentines with their friends and classmates while adults give flowers or other expensive gifts.