Why is Valentine’s Day on February 14? The holiday is shrouded in many legends, and the most common one dates back to the times of the Roman Empire.
According to it, Emperor Claudius forbade legionnaires to marry, since love and family life distracted them from service. A priest named Valentine disobeyed the order and continued to secretly marry lovers. For this, Claudius imprisoned the priest and sentenced him to death.
In captivity, Valentine met the blind daughter of the executioner and fell in love with her. Before his death, he left the girl a love letter, which he signed “your Valentine.” The strength of his feelings made his beloved see the light.
Since then, February 14 – the day of Valentine’s execution – has become a custom to write love notes.
Historians have not agreed on who Saint Valentine is, to whom the holiday is dedicated.
There are so many legends – some researchers doubt that they were all created by one person. Perhaps, in ancient times, there lived three different Valentines, who were united into one figure in folk and religious tradition. Perhaps, some of them were not even Valentines.