Valentine's Day History.

By: Manuela Herrán 10°A

I'm sure I'm not the only one who is curious about the origin of Valentine's Day; why is it about love and lovers? Why is it so romantic? Who created it? When was it created? Today you're going to find out the answer to all these doubts about this beautiful day!

Over two thousand years ago the most powerful army, the Romans, had conquered almost all of Europe and parts of Asia and Africa. As they began to become richer, the soldiers started to work less, and without any attitude. Life in the army was very harsh and many of the soldiers longed for the day they could marry and establish a family. Nonetheless, the emperor of that time, Claudius the Second, was very worried that the soldiers were not being as effective as they were before. As a result, in order to keep them working without distractions, Claudius the Second decided to ban marriage for all soldiers in the army.

By that time many of the Romans were Christians, and one of their leaders was a bishop called Valentine. Valentine was deeply worried by this new law, because he believed that when two people fall in love, they should be able to marry. Therefore, he decided to let the soldiers get married in his church, but to keep this as a secret. He was doing all of this against the law and risking his well being. Since lies come out sooner or later, he was discovered and arrested. He was brought up to the emperor, and he was demanded to stop helping soldiers get married. Instead, he was asked to make people pray to the roman gods. As expected, Valentine refused this offer, so he was sentenced to death by the emperor. 

While in prison, Valentine became friends with the blind daughter of the jailer, because she would bring him food every day. They talked for hours and hours, until one day they fell deeply in love. Valentine reached his hand to her eyes, and with a single touch a miracle happened. Valentine had cured her, she could see.  Unfortunately, Valentine's execution was destined to be the fourteenth of February of the year 270.  On his last night alive, he wrote a love letter to the girl that could now see. He signed it with the words, “from your valentine”. 

Since then, lovers celebrate their affection on this day due to this romantic story.  Lovers use this same signature to send each other love letters, and gifts, each February the fourteenth. Isn't that romantic? Make sure to let your loved ones know how much you love them. Enjoy this beautiful day of Saint Valentine, now that you know the story behind it. 

With love, from your Valentine.