| Valentine's Day is celebrated every year on February 14. It's a day when people express their love and appreciation for each other. |
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According to legend, "Valentine" was a Christian priest who held marriage ceremonies for soldiers against the orders of Roman Emperor Claudius II during the third century. Claudius thought that unmarried soldiers performed better in battle. Valentine was executed on February 14.
(A "legend" is a story, usually oral, unsupported by facts.) |
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| Valentine's Day became popular in the 19th century in England and the United States. Soon it became the custom to send cards and letters to friends, lovers, and family members. |
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| Nowadays, kids in elementary school give Valentines to each other, both boys and girls. If you have a child in school, the best thing to do is to provide cards for everyone in your child's class. The practice usually ends by middle school, but some kids continue to give each other cards. (Check with your child's teacher.) |
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| Most of all, this is a day for people to celebrate a romantic relationship: boyfriend-girlfriend / husband-wife. |
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| Many men give chocolate as a gift. |
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| Roses are very popular gifts, too. Flowers other than roses are acceptable, but roses make the biggest impression. |
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| Cupid is a mythical character associated with the holiday. He often appears as a baby with an arrow. If his arrow strikes you, you will fall in love with someone very easily. |
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