St. Valentines Day - A Bit of History

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the 3rd century in Rome. Stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. Before his death it is legend that Valentine fell in love with a young girl who may have been his jailors daughter. She visited him during his confinement. Before his death the stories say that he wrote her a letter which he signed, “From your Valentine”, an expression still in use today. Because of his romantic figure it was no surprise that by the middle ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. His death, by the way, was supposedly the middle of February. In Ancient Rome February was the time for purification. Houses were strictly cleansed with salt and a type of wheat called Spelt. (how interesting!) By 1800's Great Britain made Valentines Day popular. The first commercial Valentine greeting card produced in the U.S. was created by Esther A. Howland. She decorated her cards with scraps of ribbon and lace.

Today it is estimated that 1 billion Valentine cards are sent each year (WOW)!!!

Cupid, the child-like winged deity often associated with our modern, Valentines Day, is son of Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love. In Greek mythology, cupid is known as Aphrodite's son Eros.