In the 3rd century in Rome, Emperor Claudius II prohibited marriages among young people, believing unmarried men made better soldiers for his war strategy.
A priest named Valentinus opposed this decree and clandestinely married young couples in love. Discovering Valentinus’s disobedience, the emperor sentenced him to death.
On February 14, 270, Valentinus was stoned, beaten, and beheaded, ultimately becoming the patron saint of lovers.
Modern Celebration of St. Valentine’s Day
Today, Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated, but its historical roots have evolved.
Esther A. Howland, an artist and businesswoman, played a pivotal role in the commercialization of the celebration by popularizing Valentine’s Day greeting cards in the United States in the mid-1840s.
In Spain and many European countries like Austria, Belgium, and France, it is customary to exchange gifts on this day, ranging from flowers to dinner. However, the global celebration of Valentine’s Day varies, with different meanings and traditions in different regions.
In Finland and Estonia, for instance, Valentine’s Day is a tribute to friendship and is known as ‘Sobrapäev’ and ‘Ystävän Paiva,’ respectively. Despite the varied celebrations, this day remains popular for marriage proposals and weddings.
Denmark and Norway have unique traditions involving ‘Gaekkebrev,’ where men send women anonymous poems with funny rhymes.
The sender’s identity is hinted by dots, corresponding to the letters in the sender’s name. If the recipient guesses correctly, she receives an Easter egg; if not, she must give one to the sender.