where did valentines day origenate from?
156682
SAINT VALENTINE  \n \nSaint Valentine, according to romantic legend, was a kind-hearted Roman priest who married young couples against the wishes of Emperor Claudius II, and was beheaded for his deeds on the 14th of February. In truth, the exact origins and identity of St. Valentine are unclear. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of 14 February." Two of these men lived in the third century A.D., one being the bishop of Interamna (now Terni, Italy) and the other a priest of Rome. (Some speculate that these two figures were actually the same man.) Both seem to have been persecuted for their beliefs; the Roman priest reportedly was beaten and then beheaded on the orders of Emperor Claudius II, on or about the year 270. Legends vary on how the martyr's name became connected with romance: the date of his death may have become mingled with the feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love, or with the ancient belief that birds first mate in the middle of February. In modern times Valentine's Day is a day of special romantic sentiment and gift-giving.
160437
St. David's Day is celebrated in Wales. St. David is the patron saint of Wales. You can read about his alleged miracles and good deeds at:\n\nhttp://www.sucs.org/~rhys/stdavid.html
401056
Almost all of the customs here in the US (other than Native American) come from somewhere else. Most of our major holidays are based on traditions from other countries; we have st. patrick's day, valentines day, christmas, easter, cinco de mayo, and many others that were all brought here from elsewhere. We are a malting pot, and all the settlers brought their customs and traditions with them. Different parts of the country may place emphasis on different cultural traditions depending on the general base of their population or the population that settled that area.
34037
Nothing, because valentines day is a lame assed holiday created to make money for the greeting card/chocolate industry and make people think they're entitled to be treated extra special.  If he wants to impress me he'd do something nice for me on a random day when society didn't tell him he HAD to.  ;)
83047
Happy Valentine's day
95380
I think we celebrate Valentine's day because if you didn't show your love for that one special person every other day of the year, then February 14th is the day to do it.  Showing you love or like somebody, to me, is the best thing to get or give as a gift because at least you know that somebody is thinking about you.
996541
nope we're 2.\n\nI used to call Valentine the Flowershop Day...
781305
Does 'nt the word holiday originate from Holy Day. What English people call a holiday (as in seaside) the Americans call a vacation.So calling Christmas a holiday seems ok to me.
172759
Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. \nAccording to legend,Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,'. The Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland claims to hold the remains of St.Valentine
110770
wrong\n\nEvery February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.\n\nOne legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.\n\nOther stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.  \n  \n According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
145205
If it's midnight or later on the 14th, it's Valentine's Day. \n\n(I suggest you invest in a clock and a calendar.)
138692
No it was not. It may have been for private schools, but not for most. The reason is below:\n\nThanksgiving(lets say) is a national holiday for America. Therefore, all schoold had a small vacation. Although most people consider valentines day a holiday, It is not. It is a made up day given to people to show how much you love them.\n\n\nIn conclusion, most schools did not have off for valentines day.
95379
he first recorded association of St. Valentine's Day with romantic love was in the 14th century in England and France, where ****February 14 was traditionally the day on which birds paired off to mate.**** This belief is mentioned in Geoffrey Chaucer's Parlement of Foules (1381)\n\nIn the following century, one of John Lydgate's minor poems is "A balade made..in wyse of chesing loues at Saint Valentynes day" which indicates that the manner of choosing was drawing lots. By the 17th century a valentine was extended to the gift given, some pretty token.\n\nIt was common during that era for lovers to exchange notes on this day and to call each other their "Valentines". A 14th century valentine is said to be in the collection of the British Library. It is probable that many of the legends about St. Valentine were invented during this period.
162960
Its named after Saint Valentine. A long time ago the emperor decreed that marriage was illegal but Saint Valentine kept performing services he was arrested and sent to jail where he healed a blind girl who was the jailers daughter the jailer then helped him to escape but he would not because he believed he had to stand trial. In the end he is executed for treason and his followers kept performing marriage ceromonys.
171841
Happy valentines Day.
110401
:}\nValentines Day wouldn't be the same without a visit from Cupid, the winged cherub with a bow and arrow which he uses to place people into love.\nThe origins of Cupid can be traced back to the days of the Roman Empire. Cupid is a Roman God, the symbol of passionate love. (He is the son of Venus, who remember is the Goddess of Love.) Cupid fell madly and completely in love with Psyche, whom it happened was a mortal. This did not please Venus at all and she gave Psyche a particularly hard time, consistently tempting her and driving her off. Eventually, through a small series of human faults, Psyche was tempted to look into the ‘box of beauty’ and when she did, she unleashed a deep slumber onto herself. Cupid then came to Earth and searched the world for her. He found her in her deep sleep. His love for her was so strong though that he was able to take the sleep from her and place it back into the box. Then he used an arrow to pierce her heart and awaken her.
144257
The meaning of Valentine's day has basically been the same over the years...sending a message of love.  However, the history (see site below) would seem to indicate it is a message of love that says good-bye.\n\nThe Greeks have 3 words for love. 1) Eros, which is a physical, sensual love from which we get the word erotic. 2) Philos, which is a platonic, brotherly type love, from where Philadelphia (city of brotherly love) gets its name, and 3) Agape, which is the sacrificial love that Christian's use to describe God's love for the world.