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Valentine's Day (named
after an early Christian
martyr) is observed
every February 14.
A tradition dating
back to the third
century, the holiday is
now celebrated by
showing love, affection
and appreciation for
others with gifts
(usually candy or
flowers) or cards.
According to Roman
legend, during the third
century a Christian man
known as Valentinus was
imprisoned for his
Christian beliefs and
sentenced to death.
While jailed, it is said
that Valentinus restored
the sight of his
jailer's blind daughter.
The night before he
died, Valentinus wrote a
farewell note to the
girl, which he signed,
"From Your Valentine."
His sentence was carried
out the next day,
February 14, 269 A.D.
Around 498 A.D., Pope
Gelasius declared
February 14 as St.
Valentine's Day to honor
the martyr Valentinus.
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