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?

Legend says that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. There was an Emperor at that time - Claudius II. He decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military base. Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decree just wasn't fair and chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine's actions he had him put to death.

Another legend which says that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor's daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first 'valentine' himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it 'Your Valentine', words still used on cards today.

In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes.

By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s

188 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged every year, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.)

Did you know that…?

Names of some romantic-sounding places: -Loving Country, TX

-Lovington, NM

-Love Country, OK

-Romeo, MI

-Romeoville, IL

-Sacred Heart, MN

-Lovington, IL

-Heart Buttle, MT

-South heart, ND

Names of some romantic-sounding places: -Valentine, NE

-Valentine, TX

-Loveland, CO

-Lovejoy, GA

-Lovelock, NE

-Love Valley, NC

-Loveand, OK.

-Lovelady, TX

-Loves Park, IL

Project by Klaudia Nowosad

Photos: Kim Anderson

Music:

,,Dream a little dream of me’’-

Mama Cass