More than 2,000 years ago, there was a festival in Rome every year on February 15th, called Lipereallia. At this festival the names of all the young woman were written on pieces of paper, then the pieces were folded and put together in a box. Each young man then took out one piece of paper. The girl whose name was written on the paper would be his partner for the festival of dancing and games. Many young people met the people they would marry. The Christians later changed the name of the festival to honor a Christian Saint named Saint Valentine, and changed the date to February 14th, the day St. Valentine died. This was believed to be the date when birds first began to mate after the winter season, and for that reason they kept the holiday in honor of love.
Valentine’s Day is a special day when every boy can say “I love you.” to his girlfriend. It is also a day when children give Valentine cards to all their friends, parents and teachers. A husband gives his wife a lovely card, or a bouquet of flowers, or a box of candy. Valentine cards are usually made of red and white paper, in the shape of a heart, with a poem inside. On Valentine’s Day every classroom has a Valentine Party. For many days before February 14th, children are making Valentine cards at home for all their friends. Then on Valentine’s Day they take their cards to school and put them in a big red box in the classroom. When the teacher opens the Valentine box and gives out the cards, each child gets the cards with the name on each. Sometimes a shy boy doesn’t sign his name on the card he only writes “Guess, who?” on it. After all the cards are opened, there is ice-cream and cake for everyone.