St. Valentine’s Day

The history of Valentine’s Day is a mystery to many

Every February, people across the nation pull out their wallets to spend money on their special someone, but most people are unaware of how Valentine’s Day came to be.

The origin of St. Valentine’s Day is still somewhat of a mystery. One legend claims that Valentine was a priest in Rome during the third century.

During this time, Emperor Claudius II believed that single men made better soldiers than married men; therefore, the emperor outlawed marriage for all young men.

Valentine viewed the emperor’s decree as unjust and secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young couples behind the emperor’s back. Eventually, Valentine’s practices were discovered and the emperor sentenced him to death during the middle of February.

Another legend contends that Valentine was placed in jail for his misdeeds. While in prison, the saint fell in love with a girl who visited him during his period of confinement.

Before Valentine was put to death, he wrote his lover a letter and signed it as “from your Valentine.” This expression is still in use today.

The truth about Valentine’s Day may never be fully known, but nevertheless millions of people celebrate the holiday every year by giving various tokens of love to that significant person in their life. St. Valentine might have been executed, but his legacy of love will still live on for years to come.