Valentine's Day February 14
Love, Cupid, hearts, chocolates, cards and flowers are everywhere--it's Valentine's Day! On February 14, Americans celebrate love and friendship. But where did this holiday of affection come from?
The origins of Valentine's Day are murky. We do know that
the ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia, a spring festival, on
the 15th of February. With the introduction of Christianity, the holiday moved
to the 14th of February--the saint day that celebrated several early Christian
martyrs named Valentine. But somewhere along the way, Valentine's Day came to
represent romance. You can watch a romantic movie right here, "The
Kiss," produced by Thomas Edison back in 1900.
The romance we associate with Valentine's Day may spring
from the medieval belief that birds select their mates on February 14th. During
the Middle Ages, human lovebirds recited verse or prose to one another in honor
of the day. "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" wrote William
Shakespeare. And poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning expressed love this way:
How do I love thee; let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach. . .
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach. . .
"Will you be my Valentine?" Nowadays, people often
ask this of their loved ones in greeting cards. Probably the first greeting
cards, handmade valentines, appeared in the 16th century. As early as 1800,
companies began mass-producing cards. Initially these cards were hand-colored
by factory workers. By the early 20th century even fancy lace and ribbon-strewn
cards were created by machine. Perhaps you will give or receive a card today or
celebrate your family or that special someone in another way. Valentine's Day
also gives people a chance to reflect on the meaning of love. What do you think
makes true love?
May your day be full of romance Lexington!
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