Who is "Saint Valentine"?

Chocolate, flowers, romantic messages on cards! Every year on 14th February lots of people demonstrate their love, admiration and friendship to partners, friends and family. What EXACTLY does these things have to do with "Saint Valentine"?

There were two Christian martyrs who lived in Italy during the time the Roman emperors ruled the area. Both were named Valentine and both were persecuted and executed by pagan emperors.

Roman soldiers were not allowed to get married because they had to be entirely devoted to Rome. Therefore, the emperor passed a law preventing them from marrying. It is believed that Saint Valentine started to marry these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies. When Claudius II found out about this, he determined that the priest should be jailed and later executed. Valentine was executed on 14th February around the year 270 A.D. That would be the reason why the legend started and he was associated with this important date.

How do people celebrate "Valentine's Day"?

All over the world adults and children express their feelings towards friends and family. Cards with special affectionate messages, gifts and lollies are given to kids. Bouquets of flowers, single red roses and special gifts are among the ap-peach-iative things that adults can exchange on this important date. They also go out for a romantic candlelight dinner.

Enjoy this scary moment of the year with some of the ideas that I selected for you. Just click on the buttons below and have fun!

Cupid-Approved Activities

Berry Sweet Films

Purrfect Cards

Is "Valentine's Day" celebrated on the same day all over the world?

If you think the answer to this question is YES, you are totally wrong! The reason for a negative answer is that the date takes place in June in Brazil. To be more precise, it happens on 12th June, one day before the celebration of Santo Antônio, the saint responsible for helping women to find a husband.

However, if you also think that the date was determined because of religious reasons, you are wrong again! In 1948, João Doria, the owner of a marketing company in São Paulo, Brazil, was hired by a shop - Exposição Clipper - to improve the sales results which were very low in the month of June. He mixed business with pleasure and decided that the best day in June would be 12th because of the proximity to the celebration of the marriage saint.

Have you ever heard of "Galantine's Day?

An official date to celebrate your significant other come February is Valentine’s Day. However, before you get caught by the hustle and bustle of this moment, you must celebrate the friendships you have with your single, coupled or in-between-relationships gal pals.

This sisterhood festival was created by Michael Schur, the writer and producer of a comedy series called The Office and it can be celebrated from 1st February till 13th February.

The typically all-female holiday that celebrates mutual empowerment - a.k.a. Galentine’s Day - is “a reminder for women to support and uplift one another.".

Binge-watching romantic movies, coffee dates, exploring the outdoors, swaping makeup products, bowling and game night are just some of the ideas in an extensive list to guarantee entertainment for all ages and lifestyles.

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