Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. I love it but I have never had a anonomus card and i only get one off my OH cause my son reminds him!!!

Historic Print (L): [Saint Valentine's Day] $57.00 Historic Print (L): [Saint Valentine's Day]This is a museum quality, reproduction print on premium paper with archival/UV resistant inks. Date: [1861]Subject: SOURCE: Library of Congress...

Historic Print (L): St. Valentine's Day, 1932 $57.00 Historic Print (L): St. Valentine's Day, 1932This is a museum quality, reproduction print on premium paper with archival/UV resistant inks. Date: 1932 Feb. 14.Subject: Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945. Smith, Alfred Emanuel, 1873-1944.SOURCE: Library of Congress...

Historic Print (L): The Joliet Prison Post editors were not overlooked on Saint Valentine's Day $57.00 This is a museum quality, reproduction print on premium paper with archival/UV resistant inks. Date: 1914 March 1.Subject: Notes: 4 repros. of line drawings in the Joliet Prison Post, Joliet, Illinois, 1914 March 1, p. 155. cf: The Quarterly Journal of the Library of Congress, Spring 1983, p. 155. This record contains unverified data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Prisons; Newspapers; C...

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