Valentine's Day originated from a Roman tradition where Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men so they would be better soldiers. A priest named Valentine secretly married couples and performed marriage ceremonies, going against Claudius' orders. When Valentine's actions were discovered, he was put to death on February 14th. Centuries later he was named a saint by the Catholic church. Now Valentine's Day is celebrated as a day of love and friendship, with an estimated 150 million cards sent each year, making it the second most popular holiday after Christmas.

1. History Of Valentine’s Day!
(Or what we know…)

2. 1)
Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate
love and friendship and the joy of
having other people in your life. It’s a
day of flowers, candy and cards
decorated with hearts. This special
day’s origin, though, is not so rosy.

3. 2) There are many theories on how
Valentine’s Day began, but the most
noted one begins in Rome in the
year 268. Emperor Claudius II
wanted a fierce team of young men
to fight in his armies. He found that
when young men are in love or
sharing their lives with a wife and
children, they tended to be more
cautious. Single men made better
soldiers, so he outlawed marriage for
young men.

4. 3) Claudius may have outlawed
love, but he could not stop it.
Young men and women still fell
in love and wanted to become
couples in the eyes of the
church. A brave—and obviously
romantic—priest named
Valentine thought the law was
horribly unjust. He continued to
perform marriages for lovers in
secret. When Valentine's actions
were discovered, Claudius
ordered he be put to death.

5. 4)Some sources say that
he was put to death on
February 14th. Centuries
later, the Catholic Church
made that kindly priest a
saint, one of three saints
named “Valentine.”

6. 5) No one knows exactly when St. Valentine’s
Day was first celebrated, but there is a poem in
existence that is considered to be the first ever
written Valentine’s Day card. It was sent from a
prisoner in the Tower of London to his wife in the
year 1415.

7. Poem
My very gentle Valentine,
Since for me you were born too soon,
And I for you was born too late.
God forgives him who has estranged
Me from you for the whole year.
I am already sick of love,
My very gentle Valentine.

8. 7) It is said by the 18th century
(1700-1800S), February 14th became an
occasion for people to exchange letters or
small presents to celebrate all kinds of
love. The developments and
improvements of the printing press
enabled people to send cards with ease,
and ready-made cards also granted people
a means of succinctly expressing their love
to each other. The day became even more
popular when postage rates became
cheaper, meaning it was now less
expensive to send tokens to loved ones.

9. 8) Nowadays, Valentine’s
Day has become more
commercialized around
the world, and it is
estimated that more than
150 million cards are
sent on Valentine’s Day,
making it the second
most popular holiday after
Christmas.

10. 9) Happy St. Valentine’s Day.
Tell everyone in your heart
how much they mean to you.
And remember when you sign
those cards how love and
friendship lives on, even in
the face of adversity.