Special Sub-Topic: St. Valentine's Day Click Here To Play: St. Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day customs date back to the feast of Lupercalia. Who held this festival?

Ancient Romans. Lupercalia took place on February 15. Young men and women drew names to find their partners. Later the date was changed to February 14, and the name changed to honor one of the many Saint Valentines. It is not known for sure which one.

One Valentine's Day belief comes from England where it was believed that these creatures seek their mates on Valentine's Day. Which creatures?

birds.

Another belief is that the word Valentine is comes from the Norman word galantin. What does this word mean?

lover.

There are a number of St. Valentines in the Roman Catholic list of saints. The one believed to be asociated with Valentine's Day was a priest in Rome. Who was the emperor at this time?

Claudius II. St Valentine assisted martyrs. In 270 AD he was a martyr himself.

When was the first known Valentine's Day card sent?

1415. The first known valentine was written by Charles, Duke of Orleans. He sent it to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London

In which city can a box which is supposed to contain the remains of Saint Valentine, be seen each February 14?

Dublin. In 1835 the supposed remains were given to an Irish priest by Pope Gregory XVI. They can be view at White Friars Church in Dublin on February 14.

Sometimes the heart on a Valentine's Day card is pierced by an arrow. Who was supposed to shoot this arrow?

Cupid. In Roman mythology Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love.

Another Saint Valentine came from Terni. What was his occupation?

bishop.

When did people in England start celebrating Valentine's Day?

15th century. One source gives the date as 1446.

When did Valentine's Day become commonly observed in the USA?

During the Civil War.