| We all know that February has long been a month | | | | is celebrated on that day in February to |
| of romance when candy, flowers, cards, and gifts | | | | commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's |
| are exchanged between loved ones. However, | | | | death. |
| the true history of Valentine's Day -- and the | | | | There's more to the legend. While Valentine was |
| saint for whom the day is named --is surrounded | | | | in jail awaiting execution, many young people |
| with legends and remains a mystery. | | | | came to the jail to visit him. They threw flowers |
| Who was this mysterious saint, and why do we | | | | and notes up to his window. They wanted him to |
| celebrate this holiday? | | | | know that they, too, believed in love. This |
| One story suggests that the good Saint Valentine | | | | perhaps is where the idea of sending Valentine's |
| was a Roman priest who served during the third | | | | flowers originated. |
| century in Rome in the days of Claudius II. One of | | | | According to the legend, one of these young |
| his activities was to marry couples. | | | | people was the prison guard's daughter, whom |
| Emperor Claudius wanted to expand the size of | | | | Valentine befriended. On the day Valentine was to |
| his army. He thought that single men made better | | | | die, he left his friend a farewell message thanking |
| soldiers than married men, especially men with | | | | her for her friendship and loyalty. The message |
| families. So, in his way of thinking, if men were | | | | was signed, "Love from your Valentine", an |
| not married, they would not mind joining the | | | | expression that we still use today. |
| army. Thus, he outlawed marriage for young men. | | | | Even though no one knows the true Valentine's |
| After Claudius passed this law, Valentine, realizing | | | | Day history, we do know that February 14 |
| the injustice of the decree, kept on performing | | | | gradually became the date for exchanging |
| marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. When | | | | symbols of love, and St. Valentine became the |
| Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius | | | | patron saint of lovers. The day is celebrated by |
| ordered that he be put to death. Valentine | | | | sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers, |
| suffered martyrdom on February 14, about the | | | | chocolates, and cards. Thus the legend of St. |
| year 270 A.D. Some believe that Valentine's Day | | | | Valentine lives on. |