(NC)-According to Roman legend, during the third century, Valentinus (who would become the namesake of the modern Valentine's Day) was imprisoned for his religious beliefs and sentenced to death. Legend has it that while he was jailed Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. The night before he died, he wrote a farewell note to the girl signed, "From your Valentine." His death sentence was carried out the next day, Feb. 14, 269 A.D.
Hundreds of years later in fifth century Rome, people honored Juno, the pagan goddess of love and marriage, each Feb. 14. During the celebration, men would draw women's names and court them for marriage. Eventually, around 498 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 as Saint Valentine's Day to honor the martyr Valentinus (and to end the pagan celebration). The valentine has become the universal symbol for love over the centuries, says Denise Darragh of Hallmark Canada. But Valentine's Day celebrations and traditions, including cards, are constantly evolving to reflect everyday attitudes towards romance. The earliest known written valentine has been traced to the rhymed love letters sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife when he was a prisoner in the Tower of London in 1415. Prior to this time lovers said or sang their valentines.
Commercial valentines first appeared around 1800 and have featured a variety of themes reflective of each era. Norman Rockwell inspired Valentine's Day cards in the roaring twenties while the influence of Mickey Mouse and World War II can be seen in cards from the thirties and forties.
Today, Valentine's Day cards are available for everyone, not just lovers. While over half of all valentines are romantic, there are cards for friends, teachers, children and other family members. More than 1,300 different Valentine's Day cards are available at Hallmark Gold Crown stores across Canada. To find the nearest store, call 1-800-HALLMARK.
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