Valentine's Day

The actual origins of Valentine’s Day are shrouded in mystery. According to one legend, Valentinus, a roman priest, ignored a decree from Emperor Claudius II that forbade all marriages and betrothals. Claudius believed single men made better soldiers. Valentinus performed secret marriages and when caught in the act, Valentinus was imprisoned and sentenced to death.

While imprisoned it is said he cured a girl (the jailer's daughter) of her blindness. She fell madly in love with Valentinus, but could not save him. On the eve of his execution, Valentinus managed to slip a parting message to the girl. The note was signed "From your Valentine." That phrase has remained to this day.

The first true valentine card is said to have been sent out in 1415 by Charles, the Duke of Orleans, to his wife. This romantic card was sent from the Tower of London, where Charles was imprisoned, having been captured during the Battle of Agincourt.

Valentine's Day was probably imported into North America in the 19th Century with settlers from Britain. In the US, the first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland of Worcester, MA. Her father operated a large book and stationery store, and she took her inspiration from an English valentine she had received.