Love is in the air on Feb. 14, but why? It may have something to do with the 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards that are sent every year to express love and good wishes (according to the U.S. Greeting Card Association).
Although today “Valentine” is synonymous with love, several early Christian martyrs shared the name. The Valentine most closely associated with today’s holiday was a priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd century. The Emperor Claudius II had outlawed marriage, under the theory that married men didn’t make fierce soldiers. When Valentine continued to perform weddings, Claudius had him put to death.
In another version of the story, Valentine attempted to convert Claudius to Christianity while in prison and was executed. In other tales, Valentine healed his jailer’s blind daughter, and the two fell in love. According to legend, Valentine’s final letter to her was signed, “From your Valentine.”
Valentine’s Day began to take off in the late 18th century, when a British publisher brought out a book called The Young Man’s Valentine Writer, full of sentimental poems for lovers unable to compose their own romantic messages.
Better printing technology and lower postal rates combined to make holiday cards more convenient. The first line of Valentine’s Day cards, on embossed paper, was launched in 1847 by Esther Howland, whose father owned a book and stationery store in Worcester, Mass.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
