(Newswire.net — February 15, 2016) —The most popular theory about how Valentine’s day came to be what it is, starts with the Roman Emperor, Claudius II.
He forbade the Roman soldiers to get married during the wars. As a result, soliders started getting married in secret, and a Roman priest by the name of Valentine performed the wedding ceremonies. Due to violations of the law, he was arrested and executed.
According to the legend, while in prison and awaiting execution, Valentine healed the daughter of one of the guards – Asterius, and before he was executed wrote her a letter. The letter was signed with “Your Valentine”, as a farewell.
In his honor we celebrate Valentine’s day. King Henry VII of England officially declared February 14th Saint Valentine’s day in 1537.
Another interesting fact about Valentine’s Day comes from the Victorian era of British history. During that time it was thought that the letters signed with “Your Valentine” brought bad luck in love.
In today’s world, Valentine’s day is a very popular holiday. Statistics show that people who are in love send each other more than a billion greeting cards. The only time more cards are sent is for Christmas.
Do you know why it is common for the love messages to be signed with an X? That letter has symbolized a kiss since the Middle Ages. People who did not know how to write used to sign their letters with X, and had to kiss that letter to prove that they honestly stand behind what they “signed”.
About three percent of pet owners buy their cats and dogs presents for Valentine’s day.
Couples buy each other a variety of gifts, but most of all chocolate hearts, and this is no accident. In the 19th century, doctors often recommended chocolate as a cure for a broken heart.
The first chocolates dedicated to Valentine’s day were made in the 19th century by Richard Barrow Cadbury, the second son of Quake John Cadbury, founder of the British chocolate company, Cadbury’s.
Today for Valentine’s day, chocolate vendors sell more than 35 million heart-shaped chocolates.
Each year 220,000 men worldwide propose to the woman they love on Valentine’s Day.
If you are single, instead of Valentine’s day, you can mark the Singles Awareness Day on February 15th. On that that day, people who are single, exchange gifts with their other single friends, or send flowers to themselves, or plan parties for other singles to enjoy together.