2008 Woodie Awards
Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?
Whitney Paige Green
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Valentines
Media Credit: Epilepsy FoundationSt. Valentine is the reason we indulge in both the commercial and romantic aspects of Valentine's Day in modern times.
Have you ever wondered why we as a culture celebrate Valentine's Day? If you're like me, then maybe you've figured it was some holiday that has no significant history whatsoever, but was simply created by corporate America in order to con us out of a few bucks. I'm sure that most of you know about the spike in price that roses and bouquets will undergo during the week of the 14th - the cost of roses can more than double. And what about Valentine's Day cards? Apparently the Greeting Card Association is expecting us to buy about a billion cards this year; 85 percent of those will be purchased by women, mind you.
Well, I don't know about you, but I'm going to go on strike if I can't get some answers! What's all the hubbub about?
As it turns out, the creation of Valentine's Day seems to be genuine enough that it does not adequately satisfy enough criteria to qualify as a corporate conspiracy.
So, there was this guy named Valentine, he died around 270 C.E. and became a saint, but what does that have to do with romance? I guess it depends on who tells the story; there are a handful of legends that describe the life - and the martyrdom - of the ever-so-elusive St. Valentine.
In one tale, Valentine was a priest in the Roman Empire. The Caesar had come up with a great idea: since men with families generally won't want to go off and fight in battle as much as single guys will, and since the empire needed more soldiers, then why not make it illegal for young men to get married?
Valentine had a problem with the Caesar's law, so he decided to marry young men - and their lady-loves - in secret. Eventually, somebody out-ed him, and the Caesar cut off his head, or let him starve to death in a prison, or something to that extent.
According to another story, Valentine went to jail (perhaps for helping Christians escape the Roman prisons). While in prison, a young lady - possibly the daughter of one of the guards - began to visit him. Valentine fell in love with her, and before he was executed wrote her a love note signed, "Your Valentine".
Another theory is that the creation of Valentine's Day, like the creation of Halloween, was an attempt on the part of the Roman Catholic Church to nullify the pagan practices of its congregants.
Valentine's Day wasn't really celebrated (or, at least not like we celebrate it) until the closing of the Middle Ages. During the 17th and 18th centuries, people began to exchange notes and gifts. And finally in the 1840s, a woman named Esther A. Howland became the first person to mass-produce Valentine's Day cards.
This upcoming holiday will be celebrated in countries around the world, and for a variety of reasons. Whether you wind up doing something more traditional or more individual this Valentine's Day, I hope you have a good time - and try to put things in perspective.
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Well, I don't know about you, but I'm going to go on strike if I can't get some answers! What's all the hubbub about?
As it turns out, the creation of Valentine's Day seems to be genuine enough that it does not adequately satisfy enough criteria to qualify as a corporate conspiracy.
So, there was this guy named Valentine, he died around 270 C.E. and became a saint, but what does that have to do with romance? I guess it depends on who tells the story; there are a handful of legends that describe the life - and the martyrdom - of the ever-so-elusive St. Valentine.
In one tale, Valentine was a priest in the Roman Empire. The Caesar had come up with a great idea: since men with families generally won't want to go off and fight in battle as much as single guys will, and since the empire needed more soldiers, then why not make it illegal for young men to get married?
Valentine had a problem with the Caesar's law, so he decided to marry young men - and their lady-loves - in secret. Eventually, somebody out-ed him, and the Caesar cut off his head, or let him starve to death in a prison, or something to that extent.
According to another story, Valentine went to jail (perhaps for helping Christians escape the Roman prisons). While in prison, a young lady - possibly the daughter of one of the guards - began to visit him. Valentine fell in love with her, and before he was executed wrote her a love note signed, "Your Valentine".
Another theory is that the creation of Valentine's Day, like the creation of Halloween, was an attempt on the part of the Roman Catholic Church to nullify the pagan practices of its congregants.
Valentine's Day wasn't really celebrated (or, at least not like we celebrate it) until the closing of the Middle Ages. During the 17th and 18th centuries, people began to exchange notes and gifts. And finally in the 1840s, a woman named Esther A. Howland became the first person to mass-produce Valentine's Day cards.
This upcoming holiday will be celebrated in countries around the world, and for a variety of reasons. Whether you wind up doing something more traditional or more individual this Valentine's Day, I hope you have a good time - and try to put things in perspective.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
yo
posted 2/11/08 @ 4:37 PM CST
I can never understand why people celebrate holidays they know nothing about or they hear 500 different versions of the reason and celebrate. I believe that people should follow the TRUTH and if you have 500 different stories then there is nothing true about that. (Continued…)
ashu
posted 11/18/08 @ 5:14 AM CST
yes, valantine day is very special day for couples. on that day the lovely roses, cards, all enviornment is change it becomes so so nice. realy everybody should celebrate valantine day with their partners. (Continued…)
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