Valentine's Day Tue, Feb 13, 2018
Happy Valentine’s day everyone! We all celebrate this day with our significant others, but do we even know the history behind it? I’m not so sure we even want to after researching. Here are some interesting tidbits –
- The ancient Romans may be responsible for the name of our modern day of love. Emperor Claudius II executed two men — both named Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D. They were beaten, stoned, and beheaded for the crimes of marrying Christian couples.
- As the years went on, the holiday grew sweeter. Chaucer and Shakespeare romanticized it in their work, and it gained popularity throughout Britain and the rest of Europe. Handmade paper cards became the tokens-du-jour in the Middle Ages.
- Eventually, the tradition made its way to the New World. The industrial revolution ushered in factory-made cards in the 19th century. And in 1913, Hallmark Cards of Kansas City, Mo., began mass producing valentines. February has not been the same since.
Probably not as romantic of a history lesson as you were hoping for, but I hope you all have a special Valentine’s day!