Some History of Valentine's Day
Many have argued the exact origin of Valentines’ Day and how it came to be. Some believe 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. Valentine, realizing the unfairness of the law, 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.
Other stories conclude that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. That would be pretty interesting, considering that when I think of the word ‘priest’ I think of the Catholic Church. Therefore, if he did help the Christians escape persecution, which would have been completely amazing.
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’.
One very historic thing has taken place on Valentine's Day, was the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Al Capone planned the death of Bugs Moran, who was the current leader of the rival North Side Gang. In February, Capone spies discover that Moran is planning an important meeting, which just happened to be on Valentine's Day, at a garage that the North Side Gang uses as a liquor depot. In 1929, Capone's hit team lies in wait, armed with their most awesome weapon, the Thompson submachine gun (the Tommy gun). Seven of Moran's gangsters go into the garage; two decoy police cars pull up with Capone's men disguised as cops. They went into the garage, and told Moran's men to put down their weapons. When they did, Capone's Tommy guns erupt. Within ten seconds the men are lifeless on the floor. Not at all what God would want for us.
Some other interesting facts about Valentine's Day include the following:
- 188 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually
- The per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2005 was 25.7 pounds. Candy consumption has actually declined over the last few years; in 1997, each American gobbled or savored more than 27 pounds of candy a year.
- The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2005 for all operations with $100,000 or more in sales was $39 million.
- In February 2006, stores sold $2.6 billion worth of merchandise.
And some city names that sound lovely are:
Many have argued the exact origin of Valentines’ Day and how it came to be. Some believe 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. Valentine, realizing the unfairness of the law, 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.
Other stories conclude that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. That would be pretty interesting, considering that when I think of the word ‘priest’ I think of the Catholic Church. Therefore, if he did help the Christians escape persecution, which would have been completely amazing.
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’.
One very historic thing has taken place on Valentine's Day, was the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Al Capone planned the death of Bugs Moran, who was the current leader of the rival North Side Gang. In February, Capone spies discover that Moran is planning an important meeting, which just happened to be on Valentine's Day, at a garage that the North Side Gang uses as a liquor depot. In 1929, Capone's hit team lies in wait, armed with their most awesome weapon, the Thompson submachine gun (the Tommy gun). Seven of Moran's gangsters go into the garage; two decoy police cars pull up with Capone's men disguised as cops. They went into the garage, and told Moran's men to put down their weapons. When they did, Capone's Tommy guns erupt. Within ten seconds the men are lifeless on the floor. Not at all what God would want for us.
Some other interesting facts about Valentine's Day include the following:
- 188 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually
- The per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2005 was 25.7 pounds. Candy consumption has actually declined over the last few years; in 1997, each American gobbled or savored more than 27 pounds of candy a year.
- The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2005 for all operations with $100,000 or more in sales was $39 million.
- In February 2006, stores sold $2.6 billion worth of merchandise.
And some city names that sound lovely are:
Valentine, NE; Loveland, CO;
LovejoyGA; Lovelock, NE; Love Valley, NC
Lovelady, TX; Loves Park, IL
Loving County, TX; Lovington, NM
Loving, NM; Love County, OK
and Sacred Heart, MN.
I am so glad that we have the ability to develop our own history. Holidays are so materialistic and commercialized these days. The world uses Valentine's Day as such a sensual holiday today that the innocent part of it has seemed to have vanished.
If we had the opportunity to create such a grand history for the future generation of America, what would it be? What do you have planned for Valentine's Day? You don’t have to be married or be dating to give Valentines out to people. Give some to your family, your neighbors, or your friends.
Did you know that there are seventeen verses in the Bible that state the phrase ‘love the Lord’? Did you know that there are over 372 references to love in the Bible?
Keep in mind that Jesus is our best Valentine.
4 Comment(s)! Please Leave A Comment!:
I like that girls can make their daddy their Valentine. :O)
Jess, this was a fascinating piece! I never knew the history behind it all. Great research and I like the way you pulled it all together.
Someone has been eatting my share of candy!!!
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