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VALENTINE’S DAY has roots in several
Remus—were nursed as infants by a wolf. The date ofdifferent legends that have found their
this holiday, the association with fertility, and the belief
way to us through the ages. One of thethat young men randomly chose the name of a young girlearliest popular symbols of the day is Cupid, the Roto escort to the festivities, may link the ancient festival
man god of Love, who is represented by the image ofwith Valentine’s Day.
a young cherub with bow and arrow.
The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this date
Valentine’s Day is named after
spread through Europe in the Mida Roman martyr named Valentine.
dle Ages, and then to the early
Actually, there are two Valentines
American colonies. During thein the history of Roman martyrs.
1700s, on Valentine’s Day young
One was a Christian priest, whomen wrote the name of their sweetlived around 300 AD. He had been
heart on their sleeve, a practice thatthrown in prison for his teachings,
is probably the origin of the saying,and for refusing to worship the“wearing his heart on his sleeve.”
Roman gods. He also supposedly
Throughout the ages, people also becured the jailer’s daughter of herlieved that birds picked their matesblindness. On February 14, thison February 14!
Valentine was beheaded. As theWhatever the odd mixture ofstory goes, the night before he wasorigins, Valentine’s Day is now aexecuted, he wrote the jailer’s
day for sweethearts. It is the day
daughter a farewell letter, signingthat you show your friend or loved
it, “From Your Valentine.”
one that you care. You can sendThe other Valentine was an Italcandy to someone you think is speian bishop who lived at about the same time. It is believed
cial. Or you can send flowers, particularly red roses,that he was imprisoned because he secretly married couwhich are the flowers of love. Most people send theirples, contrary to the laws of the Roman emperor. Young“valentines” a greeting card. These greeting cards are
men were forbidden to marry until they had served asalso called “valentines” after the notes that one St. Valsoldiers. This Valentine was also reportedly beheaded,entine wrote from jail. Valentine’s Day cards can be senbecoming a martyr for the cause of love.
timental, romantic, and heartfelt. They can be funny
Around February 14 there wasand friendly. If the sender is shy, thea yearly Roman holiday, “Lupercavalentine can be anonymous, orP
REVIOUS PAGE: A box of chocolates and red roses arelia,” held near the caves of Lupersigned “Your Secret Admirer.”
traditional Valentine’s Day gifts.
cal—the place where the mythical ABOVE: Cupid, the God of Love, is often shown as a boy
Americans of all ages love tofounders of Rome—Romulus and with wings and a bow and arrow.
send and receive valentines. ValenC E L E B R AT I O N S

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tines are often heart-shaped, or have drawings ofhearts or Cupid, the symbols of love, on them. In someelementary schools, children bring or make valentines
for all their classmates and put them in a large decorated box, similar to a mailbox. On February 14, theteacher opens the box and distributes the valentines toeach student. After the students read their valentines,
they have a small party with refreshments. Handmade
valentines, often created by cutting hearts out of colored paper and decorating them with lace, ribbon, orother material, show that a lot of thought was put into
making them personal.
People often write a short rhyme inside a homemade valentine, such as:

Valentine’s Day offer. Anyone can send in a message
destined for a would-be sweetheart, a good friend, a sonor daughter, a parent, an acquaintance, or even a spouseof fifty years. For a small fee, the message is printed in a
special section of the newspaper on February 14. Even
if no one writes one for you, these messages are fun andheart-warming to read. They often include pet names
such as “sugar lump,” “teddy bear,” “sweetie pie,” or“honey.” People sometimes abbreviate words such as
writing “4-ever” for “forever.”

To my Sugar Lump,
Luv U 4-Ever.
Your Teddy Bear

Roses are red,
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
And so are you!
For people of all ages, newspapers throughout the country have aV a l e n t i n e ’ s D ay

Above: Homemade valentines are fun to make out of red
paper, lace, and ribbon.

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C e l e b r at i o n sGlossarylegend(s): n. a popular story, perhaps untrue, that ispassed down through history
cherub: n. a type of angel appearing as a young boywith wings
martyr: n. a person who is killed, chooses to die, or
suffer greatly for a cause or belief
supposedly: adv. according to some people; it isassumed to be true
behead(ed): v. to execute by having one’s head cut off
execute(d): v. to put to death by an official order
mythical: adj. based on a traditional story or myth, orimagination
nurse(d): v. to care for; to nourish or feed from thebreast
randomly: adv. by chance; not in any orderescort: v. to accompany; to go with or take to an event
sleeve: n. the part of a shirt that covers the arms
origin: n. beginning; sourcemate(s): n. male or female member of a pairsentimental: adj. emotional; full of feelingheartfelt: adj. sincere
anonymous: adj. without the sender’s or author’s namerefreshment(s): n. light food and drink
destine(d): v. to be intended for; to be received by aspecific person or at a specific destination
would-be: adj. possible; hoped to beacquaintance: n. a friend, but not a close friend
spouse: n. husband or wife
fee: n. a payment required for a service
pet name(s): n. phrase. sweet or endearing nickname;special name given to a loved one

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