 Thursday, February 14, 2008 is Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day always falls on February 14, and is the traditional day on which lovers in certain cultures let each other know about their love, commonly by sending Valentine's cards, which are often anonymous.
The history of Valentine's day can be traced back to an obscure Catholic Church feast day, said to be in honor of Saint Valentine, are discussed below. The day's associations with romantic love arrived after the High Middle Ages, during which the concept of romantic love was formulated.
The Mystery of Valentines Day Origins
Valentines Day origins are obscured by mystery and there are varying opinions about it. Its origins have become themes of many legends. St. Valentines Day as we celebrate it today has remnants of both ancient Roman and Christian traditions. According to some, Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of the roman Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying his decree, which outlawed marriage for young men.
Valentines Day Legends
Some other legends have it that the Valentines Day originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity on February 14, 269 A.D. Today the Roman Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine, all of whom were martyred. St. Valentine may have been imprisoned and later killed for helping Christians to escape harsh punishment in Roman prisons.There is an interesting story portraying the love affair between St. Valentine and the jailor's daughter. St. Valentine left a farewell note for her, the note read- "from your Valentine".
Valentine's Day Is Said To Have Started In The Roman Empire.
In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans regarded her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the festival of Lupercalia, in honor of Lupercus, the hunter of wolves. Legends aside, the popularity of the Valentines Day rose manifold among the people and in tune with it Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine, the patron saint of love and romance.
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Valentines 
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