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Show TIlO Valentino's I lay. TiH10S-IlMlMMHlIl- tS 2(MM Supplement Valentines Day - an ancient and enduring tradition Valentine's Day is a tradition that has been celebrated since ancient Roman times. February 14 was the day the Romans honored Juno, the goddess of marriage. But the rich history of this holiday is largely unknown to many of the romantic couples who will celebrate Valentine's with chocolates and flowers. Stories vary as to exactly how the current celebration of Valentines Day came about, but one account attributes the custom to the commemoration of a martyred Roman priest. The story states that during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, knowm as Claudius the Cruel, marriages and engagements were banned in an effort to recruit soldiers to the Roman army who otherwise would not have left their loved ones and families. When Saint Valentine, a priest who defied Claudius orders and married couples in secret, was beaten and beheaded Young February' 14 for his actions, people began to celebrate the day in his memory as Saint Valentine's Day, a day of love in which tokens of afTection are on exchanged. Today, Saint Valentine's Day is still celebrated around the world. While trad.tions vary, the main theme for the day is still the expression of love and the exchange of tokens of afTection. In modern Italy, Valentines Day is a day celebrated between lovers. Sweethearts exchange gifts such as chocolates, flowers or jewelry, and give each other Valentine's Day cards. In the rest of the Western Hemisphere the day is celebrated much the same lovers give each other cards and gifts, and gifts are also given to family members and friends. In the Far East, Valentines Day celebrations take place with a twist. In South Korea and Japan, for example, only the girls observe the day by giving gifts, -- traditionally chocolate or sweets, to boys. In America, the celebration of Valentine's Day began during the 1700s with men and women exchanging elegant love poems and Valentine verses written on decorative paper. In the 1830s, Esther Howland, the daughter of a Worcester, Mass., stationer. established a business selling her own Valentine creations. During the Victorian Era, Valentines became less elegant and more extravagant. The poems became more comical and satirical, poking fun at teachers and old maids. Over the past century, the day has come to be celebrated not just through the exchange of Valentines, but through giving candy, sweets and gifts to loved ones. While many people around the world are unfamiliar with the story of Saint Valentine, most have growrn up with the tradition of celebrating February 14 as a day of showing love and giving gifts. Frenchman created first poetical address A young Frenchman, Charles, Duke of Orleans, was one of the earliest creators ofValentines, called poetical or amorous addresses. From his confinement in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, he sent several poems or rhymed love letters or Valentines to his wife in France. During the 15th century, one Valentine showed a drawing of a knight and a lady, with Cupid in the act of sending an arrow to pierce the knight's heart. During the 17th century people made their own Valentines using original verse or poems copied from booklets with appropriate verse. The English attitude toward St. Valentines Day in the middle of the 18th centuiy is summed up in this verse printed in Poor Robins Almanac in 1757: This month bright Phoebus enters Pisces, The maids will haie good store of kisses. For always when the fun comes there, Valentines Day is drawing near. And both the men and maids incline 7b choose them each a Valentine; And if a man gets one he loves. He gives her first a pair of gloves; And, by the way, remember this, To seal the favour with a kiss. This kiss begets more love, and then That love begets a kiss again, Until this trade the man doth catch. And then he doth propose the match. The woman's willing, tho shes shy. She gives the man this soft reply, III not resolve one thing or other. Until I first consult my mother. " When she says so, tis half a grant, And may be taken for consent. Turtle Doves and Love Birds Oft have 1 heard both youth and virgin say Birds choose their mates, and couples too, this day; But by their flight I never can divine. When I shall couple u it h my Valentine. The rose, a symbol of love and Valentines Day. -- Herrick It was thought that birds chose their mate for the year on Feb. 14. Doves and pigeons mate for life and therefore were used as a symbol of fidelity." The first commercial Valentine appeared circa 1800 and were rather simplistic. But by the 1830s and 1840s Valentines contained delicate and artistic messages. Valentines made of fine papers and decorated with satin, ribbon, or lace commanded high prices. They had pictures of turtledoves, lovers knots in gold or silver, bow and arrows, cupids, and bleeding hearts. All of these symbols have become associated with love and lovers. In the 1840s the first mechanical Valentines were introduced. By pulling a tab, a figure or object on the card could be made to move. Some had elaborate honeycomb or various other features. In the 1840 s messages on early Valentines included: Love" I fondly, truly love thee." Love protects" pop-ou- ts three-dimension- al |