Everybody Loves Valentine Cards
The flower shops, chocolate makers and greeting card companies make millions of dollars on people who buy their products for the festivities of February 14th. This day has grown in popularity for many years, and the businesses make more money every year. These people are only too happy to promote this day, and many normal people look forward to this day. School children love to go to school on February 14th because they often have Valentines Day parties in their classrooms. These children often exchange Valentine cards with the other members of their class. The day is often decorated with hearts, flowers and images of Cupid, a god of love from mythology.
People celebrate this day yearly, but many have no idea exactly why this day is celebrated on February 14th or why they send Valentine cards. Many people have no idea where this name comes from. In other words, everyone knows what Valentine cards are, but they do not necessarily know the legend behind the name and the day. Valentine cards do not often have a picture of the man named St. Valentine, and not many people stop to think where the card people got this name.
St. Valentine Received Valentine Cards According to Legend
According to one legend, St. Valentine promoted love against the will of his government at the time. He was a priest when the ruler, Claudius, decided that men should go to war and should remain unmarried. Claudius, according to the legend, thought the men would be better soldiers if they were not married. He wanted the strongest soldiers in his army. St. Valentine was a priest who could marry these men to their sweethearts, and he did marry them in secret. When the ruler heard about it, he had St. Valentine thrown in jail.
Claudius tried to befriend St. Valentine while he was in jail, and Claudius wanted St. Valentine to renounce his own religion. St. Valentine refused the ruler, and eventually he was executed for his beliefs. According to the legend, many people felt sorry for St. Valentine, and they sent him many cards. These became the first Valentine cards. When he was executed on February 14th, this day became known as St. Valentines Day. This wonderful man is now remembered around the world when people send Valentine cards on this day. This tradition will probably continue for many years to come. |
