Why Do We Celebrate Valentine's Day On 14th February | History Of Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is celebrated on 14th February as a way to commemorate Saint Valentine, a third-century Roman martyr who was known for performing secret marriages for soldiers in love. The day became associated with love and romance in the Middle Ages when it was believed that birds began mating on this day. Over time, Valentine's Day has evolved into a popular holiday for couples to express their love for each other through the exchange of cards, gifts, and romantic gestures.

Valentine's Day has a rich history that has evolved over time. The holiday has its roots in both Roman and Christian traditions.

According to one legend, Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who lived during the third century. The Emperor of Rome at that time, Claudius II, had outlawed marriage for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Saint Valentine defied this order and continued to perform marriages for young couples in secret. When Claudius II found out about this, he had Saint Valentine imprisoned and eventually executed.

Another legend suggests that Saint Valentine was a Christian who was persecuted by the Roman Empire for his faith. While he was in prison, he reportedly fell in love with the jailer's daughter and wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine," which is believed to be the origin of the Valentine's Day card.

Over time, the association between Saint Valentine and love and romance grew stronger. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that birds began mating on the 14th of February, which further cemented the link between the day and love. By the 19th century, Valentine's Day had become a popular holiday for the exchange of cards, flowers, and gifts between couples. Today, it is celebrated around the world as a day to express love and affection.

Valentine's Day has become a widely recognized holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world.

Here are some additional facts about the holiday:

• Valentine's Day is not just for romantic love: While the holiday is often associated with couples in romantic relationships, it can also be a day to celebrate all kinds of love, including friendships, familial love, and self-love.

• Valentine's Day is one of the most popular gift-giving holidays: According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent over $27 billion on Valentine's Day gifts in 2020. Common gifts include chocolates, flowers, jewelry, and cards.

• Valentine's Day is a popular day for marriage proposals: Many couples choose Valentine's Day as the day to propose marriage to their significant other. In fact, a survey by the Diamond Information Center found that 43% of women would be happy to receive a marriage proposal on Valentine's Day.

• The color red is associated with Valentine's Day: The color red has long been associated with love and passion, and it is a popular color for Valentine's Day decorations and gifts.

• Valentine's Day has a global reach: While it originated in Western countries, Valentine's Day is now celebrated in many parts of the world, including in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. However, the way the holiday is celebrated can vary widely across different cultures and countries.

Sure! Here are some more interesting facts about Valentine's Day:

• The first Valentine's Day card was sent in the 15th century: The oldest known Valentine's Day card was sent by the Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415.

• In the United States, approximately 150 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year, making it the second-most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.

• The heart shape that is commonly associated with Valentine's Day has its origins in the shape of the silphium plant's seedpod. The silphium plant was used in ancient times as a form of birth control and was considered a symbol of love and sexuality.

• In Finland, Valentine's Day is called "Friend's Day" and is a day to celebrate friendships rather than romantic love.

• In South Korea, Valentine's Day is celebrated on two different days. On February 14th, women give gifts to men, and on March 14th (known as White Day), men give gifts to women.

• The city of Verona, Italy, which is the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, receives around 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine's Day.

• In some countries, Valentine's Day is a relatively new holiday. For example, it was only introduced in China in the 1990s and has since become very popular.

• Valentine's Day is the second most popular day for sending cards, after Christmas. It is estimated that around 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are sent each year.

• In some parts of the world, such as Wales, it is traditional to exchange love spoons on Valentine's Day. These are hand-carved wooden spoons that are decorated with symbols of love and affection.

• The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. The exact origins of the Valentine's Day holiday are not clear, but it is believed to have been named after Saint Valentine of Rome, who was executed on February 14th in the year 270.

• In Japan, it is customary for women to give chocolates to men on Valentine's Day. There are two types of chocolate that are typically given: "homes-choco" (chocolate for a boyfriend or husband) and "giri-choco" (obligatory chocolate for friends or colleagues).

• In the United States, conversation heart candies are a popular Valentine's Day treat. These small, heart-shaped candies are printed with messages such as "Be Mine" and "Kiss Me."

• Valentine's Day is a popular day for getting engaged. According to a survey by The Knot, approximately 10% of marriage proposals happen on Valentine's Day.

• In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Colombia, Valentine's Day is known as "Dia del Amor y la Amistad" (Day of Love and Friendship) and is a day to celebrate both romantic relationships and friendships.