The Visor

The history behind the romance

February 4, 2010

Alexander Salamon

For centuries, Valentine’s Day has enticed the world as a romantic day. But how did this event come about and how did the name of St. Valentine get tied to it?

Legend has it that Valentine was a third century Roman citizen, serving as a priest. The emperor of the time, Claudius II, banned marriage for young men because he believed single men made better soldiers than those with families. Valentine spoke out against the emperor’s ruling and continued to carry out marriages in secret. When Emperor Claudius learned of his insubordination, Valentine was sentenced to death.

Another tale is that Valentine sent the first “Valentine” card while in prison. It is thought that Valentine fell in love with his jailor’s daughter who visited him. Supposedly, Valentine wrote her a letter before he died, signed “from your Valentine.”

Although the phrase is still in use today, the truths behind the myths of Valentine are debatable. However, these stories depict a heroic and romantic character, making the compassion that Valentine represented the focal point of Valentine’s Day.

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