Every February 14th we celebrate Valentines Day by
giving flowers, candy and cards to those we love.
Who
exactly is Saint Valentine?
One
legend says that Valentine was a priest during the 3rd
century in Rome.
Emperor
Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than
married ones, so he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine,
who was contrary to this unjust law, decided to defy Claudius by
continuing to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When
his actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to
death.
In Great
Britain, Valentines Day began to be popular around the 17th
century. Americans began to exchange hand-made valentines in
the early 1700’s.
An
estimated one billion valentine cards are sent every year. It’s
the second largest card sending holiday of the year. (After
Christmas!)
Did you
remember to send a Valentine card to someone dear to you?
Using the above material regarding this holiday,
the students can write up questions. Ex:
-
Was
Valentine a priest during the 3rd century in
Rome?
-
What
emperor outlawed marriage for young men?
-
Approximately how many valentine cards are sent every year?
You can
also use the following for a
Valentine’s Day dictation :
-
One morning 75 years ago, a baby was born to Mr. and Mrs.
Card. The parents asked the doctor to give the baby a name
and the doctor replied, “Today is Saint Valentine’s Day, so
let’s call him Valentine.” Today Mr. Valentine Card is alive
and well and lives in London.
-
I was working in the jewellery department of a large store
just before Saint Valentine’s Day. When a young man chose a
pair of earrings for his sweetheart, I tried to persuade him
to buy the complete set of earrings, brooch and necklace.
“No thanks,” he replied, “I prefer to decorate her a little
at a time.”
A Nice Thought
“Love sought is good
but given unsought
is better.”
William Shakespeare