xxoo

Kind over Matter Art Print by Kate Swodoba

Valentine's Day is celebrated in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., France and Australia. This celebration of lovers dates back to the Middle Ages with the oldest known written Valentine on display in the British Museum. Composed in 1415 by Charles Duke of Orleans, it was written to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. While some believe Valentine's Day celebrates the anniversary of the Martyr Valentinus the Presbyter's death, others claim it was Pope Gelasius in 498 AD who sought to dispel the Roman pagan holiday of fertility and mating, thus proclaiming St. Valentine's Day as a religious commemoration. Valentine's Day as a celebration of love emerged in popularity in the 17th C and by the middle of the 18th C it was common for friends and lovers to exchange small tokens of handwritten affections. Improved technology provided easy access to ready-made printed cards and the ease of forwarding sentiments to loved ones bloomed rapidly. It is estimated that 141 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged with 85% of these purchased by women....hmmm, interesting little tidbit.... Happy Valentine's Day To All !