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Valentine Day

Valentine's Day, a day that is fixed in the hearts of those who live in the many countries around the world where February 14th is a day of celebration of love and romance. We all know of it, but what are the origins of Valentine's Day? Why is it celebrated and why on February 14th each and every year?

The Origins of Valentine's Day

Like any piece of history, there are variations in the likely origins of Valentine's Day, but a true romantic offering a gift or note of love on February 14th will not really care about that. Romance is for the moment, not for picking over the scraps of history.

One thing for sure is that there was a St Valentine's Day in England in the 14th century. No, I was not there, as I am not quite that old, but I was forced to study Chaucer's works at college. Chaucer mentions a Valentine's Day in Parlement of Foules.

It is also believed that the notion of exchanging love notes orginated in that era, and later gifts. But was there really a Valentine? Or is Valentine, like Santa Claus, a mix of truth and legend? Or a mixture of the two, a sort of Rudolph Valentino?

History is always a distortion of what has happened in reality, and it makes for some good legends. Valentine's Day is, it seems, another reservoir of truths, half truths and fantasy that swirl around together in a glorious mix. That sounds a bit like love and romance to me.

We do know that there have been at least three St Valentines, and it is said that one of them was martyred on February 14th, so not a happy day for him. He may even have sent a note of love to the jailers daughter just before he died. Well, that's a nice, fanciful idea, so it is as good as any to stick with. So, let's leave the historians to argue over what really went on; it is quite insignificant when compared to what has happened since with the evolution of Valentine's Day.

Let us just enjoy the fact that Valentine's Day is the most romantic day in many countries; a day of love. Here in the Philippines, a day of love in the middle of the month of hearts.