The history of Valentine's Day

Most people around the world enjoy receiving Valentine's Day cards on Feb. 14. Other items like candy, flowers and gifts are also exchanged among family and friends.

Valentine's Day and its meaning, honoring Saint Valentine, comes from an ancient Roman ritual of Lupercalia that welcomed spring via the card-giving customs of Victorian England. We do know February has long been celebrated as a month of romance and that Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains pieces of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

Very little is known about Saint Valentine except that it is believed he was a priest or bishop who ministered to Roman Christians in the third century. This was a time when Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire. He performed secret Christian weddings for couples and was imprisoned for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods. It was during this time of captivity that he cured the jailer's daughter of blindness. When he was taken to the executioner, he is said to have lost a note saying, "Your Valentine."

A British publisher in 1797 suggested sentimental verses for young lovers unable to compose their own. Printers had already begun producing a limited number of cards with verses and sketches.

Paper valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. Fancy valentines were made with real lace and ribbons. And paper lace was introduced in the mid-19th century.

Sixty thousand Valentine's Day cards were sent by post in the United Kingdom in 1835 despite the high price of postage.

I still have a valentine my husband sent me and would not trade it for anything in the known world.

SUE VOGELSANGER of Cape Girardeau, a longtime contributor to The Banner Press, has strong familial ties to Bollinger County. Her columns are scheduled to run on the first Wednesday of the month.