Wed, Feb 13th 2008, 00:00
Valentines Day: Love it or hate it, tomorrow is the day that lovers all over the world will be exchanging expressions of affection.
Since the advent of printing, Valentine’s Day has become an increasingly popular commercial celebration. These days over 1 billion Valentines cards will be sent world wide – this is the second largest card sending occasion on the modern western calendar.
14 February is the official saints day of St. Valentine in the traditions of the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, not much information is known about this saint and the celebration is not widely followed in church circles. There were three martyrs in ancient Rome called Valentine.
The most popular story about St. Valentine in ancient Rome took place during the rule of Emperor Claudius II of Rome, also known as Claudius the Cruel. Rome was at war and Claudius needed new recruits for his army. He passed a ruling banning young men from getting married so that they would be more willing to become soldiers.
Valentine was a priest who felt sympathy for the young lovers kept apart because of Claudius. He defied the law and married the young couples in secret. When this was discovered, Valentine was sentenced to death. On death row, Valentine sent a note to a lady friend of his to offer reassurance. The note was titled “From your Valentine …”
The British Museum in London is home to one of the oldest known valentines messages in existence. It was a poem written by the Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt.
In the 18th Century, it became a popular tradition for lovers and admirers to exchange love tokens and handwritten notes on Valentine’s Day. Advances in printing techniques gave us ready-made cards … billions of which will be gracing post boxes around the world tomorrow!
Featured Businesses
Busselton Florist2009-12-15
Located in Busselton, Shire of Busselton, South West, Australia
Busselton Florist in Busselton, South West, have:
Quality, fresh floral designs; gourmet hampers and gift baskets incl. fruits, chocolates, wines, beer, flowers, teddies, balloons and gifts; we also do silk flowers and arrangements at our location in Busselton. READ MOREChristmas by the Cove2009-08-13
Located in Pacifica, San Mateo County, California, United States
Christmas by the Cove is located off the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway in Pacifica offering quality gifts and decor with personalized service. They offer vintage collectibles, and stock all decor for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, Valentine's, St. Patrick's and Easter decor. Free gift bags and free wrapping. READ MORESan Bruno Flower Fashions2009-01-06
Located in San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, United States
San Bruno Flower Fashions has been proudly serving San Bruno since 1978. We are family owned and operated with 1 location serving the San Bruno area. We are committed to offering only the finest floral arrangements and gifts, backed by service that is friendly and prompt. Because all of our customers are important, our professional staff is dedicated to making your experience a pleasant one. That is why we always go the extra mile to make your floral gift perfect.READ MORELilys Florist2016-02-05
Located in Tweed Heads, Tweed Shire Council, New South Wales , Australia
Lilys Florist in Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia is the premier florist on the far north coast, and offer same day delivery flowers ensuring they are delivered on time every time. They do flowers for all occasions too including arrangements, bunches, birthdays, Valentines day, sympathy, plants and so much more. Lilys Florist also have a luxurious range of hampers for corporate, special occasions and general gifts, and there are hampers for kids, party hampers, new baby hampers and more, and they are also available for same day delivery. There are also great daily specials on flowers, sale items and freebies, it's your local go to florist for any occasion.READ MOREFlowers On Prince2009-12-15
Located in Busselton, Shire of Busselton, South West, Australia
Flowers on Prince, provides Busselton and surrounding areas with the finest flowers and floral arrangements.So if words are not enough to express how you feel, visit Flowers on Prince in Busselton, and we will help you arrange the perfect gift.READ MOREValentines Studio in the Woods
Located in Gaylord, Otsego County, Michigan, United States
Visit Valentines Studio in the Woods in GaylordREAD MOREValentines Resort and Marina2013-04-30
Located in Harbour Island, Bahamas, Bahamas, Bahamas
Valentines Resort and Marina on Harbour Island in the Bahamas is a luxury resort that promises paradise, and delivers with 40 spacious and luxurious suites that are fully equipped and tropically appointed. The 50 slip full service, yacht marina is state of the art with a fuel dock, wifi, fresh water, cable hookups, electricity and is open to transient boaters year round. This beach resorts Boat House Restaurant overlooks the bay, promising sublime food, and breathtaking sunsets, and the Rooster Bar is open for fun food and drinks, plus there is Cocoa Coffee House with Starbucks and Lavazza brands, so get your fix. Valentines Resort hosts the Annual Bahamas Billfish Championship, and there's live entertainment, pink sand beaches and more, it's a dream come true in paradise.READ MOREBuds 'n' Blooms Florist2014-12-14
Located in East Preston, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom
Buds 'n' Blooms Florist in East Preston, West Sussex, England offer exquisite floral arrangements and hand-tieds for all occasions, and they deliver locally and in surrounding areas. They also cater to any budget and occasion including birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, funerals, congratulations, new-borns, retirements, valentines and so much more. You can conveniently order on-line from Buds 'n' Blooms Florist and they also stock flowering plants and foliage, and make up unique planted arrangements, plus sell glass vases, silk flowers, balloons and soft toys, order today and make someone smile, they also do corporate flowers to create the perfect environment for customers and employees, and they have an excellent on-line reminder service, it's all here.READ MOREValentine Theatre
Located in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, United States
Visit Valentine Theatre in ToledoREAD MOREValentine's Dive Center 2013-04-30
Located in Harbour Island, Bahamas, Bahamas, Bahamas
Valentine's Dive Center on Harbour Island in the Bahamas is the leading PADI resort facility in the area, with professional PADI trained instructors ensuring, custom-made dive boats, full scuba equipment rental and more. Valentine's Dive Center offers daily dives, snorkel trips and private charters which can be catered, perfect for families and groups, plus they have kayak rentals and paddle board rentals and a certification program, it's all here and you can enjoy diving in some of the best locations in the Bahamas. Come explore coral reefs, grottos, underwater blow holes, there are high speed drift dives available as well as wall and wreck dives. So come learn to dive and get your PADI certification, or if you are a certified diver, come enjoy all the fabulous diving adventures on offer here at this fabulous island paradise, there's even night diving.READ MORE
Valentines Day, 14 February reviews
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