Valentine’s Day is Friday … a holiday observed with cards & chocolates, roses & candlelight dinners.
This festival of candy and cupids originated in the dark days of the 3rd Century AD when Emperor Claudius executed two men, each named “Valentine” , for undefined offenses. Then in 5th Century AD, the Catholic Church declared the “Valentines” were actually martyrs, granted them sainthood and declared a celebration of Saint Valentine's Day. As the years went on, the holiday grew sweeter and was romanticized by Chaucer and Shakespeare. Hand cut paper hearts and cards were exchanged by friends and lovers. Eventually the tradition made its way to the New World and the Industrial Revolution ushered in factory made cards.
In 1913, the Hallmark Co. in Kansas City, Missouri, started mass producing Valentines.
February has never been the same since.
