Here is a little What, When, Who, Where, and How as it pertains to the Valentines Day Holiday. This information was gathered for the purpose of sharing with an international group of students studying in the United States. The hope was to give them some insight and understanding about what was happening in the surrounding community where they found themselves studying. This was presented to the students in 2016.

 

What is “Valentines Day”?

The holiday originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day honoring one (or more) of the early saints who went by the name Valentinus.

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While there were many early saints who carried the name “Valentinus,” the one most closely tied to Valentines Day is Valentine of Rome. He was martyred in 269. He was imprisoned initially for performing wedding ceremonies for Roman soldiers who were forbidden to marry. It was this imprisonment that led to his eventual martyrdom.

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The story is told that while imprisoned he healed the jailer’s daughter and before his execution, he wrote her a letter as a farewell and signed it “Your Valentine.”

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Valentine was executed on February 14, 269 AD.

 

When did Valentines Day start?

While not exactly how we observe it, the origins of our observance began in the 14th century – specifically associations /celebrations of “romantic love” (before that it was “sacrificial love”). The one who gets credit for this transition to “romantic love” is the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer. Specifically for his work Parlement of Foules written in 1382. In this work, he wrote:

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               “For this was on St. Valentines Day, when every bride cometh there to choose his

                 mate.”

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The earliest known work establishing or designating Feb. 14 as an annual celebration of love outside of the Church occurs in 1400. Charles VI of France issues the Charter of the Court of Love. The charter called for:

             

 A huge feast, much song and dance, jousting, and a poetry contest

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For this first Court, only Queen Isabeau of Bavaria showed up to celebrate.

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Who celebrates Valentines Day?

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The day is celebrated around the world. Primarily and more publicly in traditionally Christian nations. In those non-Christian locations, the traditions don’t reach as far back but they are beginning to be seen and taking on more local customs and flair.

 

Places like Saudia Arabia, where the sale of Valentines related items is forbidden due to its Christian history, there is a huge black market for roses and Valentines themed wrapping paper. 2012 saw 140 Saudis arrested for celebrating Valentines Day.

 

The biggest spenders can be found in Singapore. 60% of those participating in the holiday say they will spend nearly 5 times of what their American counterparts will spend – almost $500.00 (Americans - $100.00)

 

Where is Valentines Day celebrated?

In some shape or form, Valentines Day is celebrated in every part of the world. Even in those traditionally non-Christian locations, nations, cultures, and peoples have developed a celebration or observation of the idea of love, some even predate the Western concept and celebration.

 

How we celebrate Valentines Day

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1787 – The Young Man’s Valentine Writer is published in Great Britian.  This was a book full of three-to-four-line sentimental verses that the young man may send to his significant other.

 

1847 – The first mass produced preprinted Valentines cards appear in the United States.

 

1851 – The sending of the “Valentine” as we might know and recognize it today begins. This tradition will be pretty much unchanged for the next 100 years.

 

Second half of the 20th century (specifically after 1950) the next developmental step took place, and Valentines Day saw the inclusion of flowers, specifically roses and chocolates packaged in heart shaped boxes also being sent as acceptable Valentines.

 

Not to be left out, beginning in the 1980’s we see the jewelry industry begin pushing their products as an acceptable alternative for the ones we love.

 

In the US alone 190 million Valentines are sent annually. When you add school classroom celebrations, that total surpasses one billion. Due to these celebrations, teachers receive more Valentines than any other profession.

 

2010 - $100 per person; 2013 - $131 per person; 2017 estimated to exceed $150 per person.