Valentine is the name of several saints who are commemorated on February 14th.In the last one hundred and fifty years the custom has grown up of sending cards or messages to a sweetheart.The card themselves are called valentines and the loved is also called one's valentine.This custom began in the United States of America,with the first commercial cards being produced there in the 1840s,and it has now spread to many parts of the world.
In mediaeval times it was believed that the birds chose their mates on February 14th and thus connection with love acrose.Choosing a loved one on this day might also have some connection with the roman festival of Lupercalia which used to take place at this time of year.St Valentine himself was a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century and,because of the dy on which his Saint's Day falls,he has become the patron saint of lovers although there does not seem to have been any reason for this originally.
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