The Story of Valentine's Day

1 Time to Read!
Valentine's Day is on 14th February. It's a day for love and romance. Every year, people give
cards, chocolates, flowers or gifts to their boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife - or someone
they want to be their boyfriend or girlfriend! Many people send anonymous cards to someone
they love secretly.
The story of Valentine's Day starts in the time of the Roman Empire. In that time, there was an
Emperor called Claudius II. He didn't want men to get married because he thought that single
men were better soldiers than married men. But a priest called Valentine married couples
secretly. When the Emperor found out, he put Valentine in prison and sentenced him to death.
One story says that while he was in prison, Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter. On
14th February, the day he died, he wrote her a love letter and signed it 'from your Valentine'.
This is what people write on Valentine's cards today.
There are two main stories about how Valentine's Day got its name. Some people think that the
Christian church decided to celebrate St. Valentine's feast day in the middle of February
because it was too dark and cold to have a party at the end of December. Other people think
that the Christian church wanted to replace a Roman festival called Lupercalia. This festival
was in the middle of February and was a lot of fun, but it wasn't a nice thing. Boys and girls'
names went into a box and then they took one out. For the next year, that boy and girl were a
couple, but sometimes they didn't like each other! The Christian church wanted to change this
festival and make it about love and friendship. Today, people remember St. Valentine as a kind,
loving man who married couples. They celebrate his life with love and happiness.
2 Can You Match These Words to Their Definitions?
1 flowers a an item given to someone as a token of love, friendship, or gratitude.

2 cupid b the second month of the year, known for Valentine's Day and
celebrating love.
3 date c a mythical figure often associated with love and romance.

4 february d a sweet treat made from cocoa beans and sugar.

5 arrow e colorful and fragrant plants that are often given as gifts to show love
and appreciation.
6 gift f strong feelings of affection, care, and devotion towards someone or
something.
7 couple g a pointed projectile used for shooting or piercing objects, often
associated with Cupid's arrow of love.
8 poem h two people who are in a romantic relationship or partnership.

9 heart i a planned meeting between two people who are interested in each
other romantically.
10 love j a symbol representing love, compassion, and emotion.

11 chocolate k a piece of writing that expresses emotions and ideas in a creative and
artistic way.
Correct Answers
2 Correct Answers:
1 e 2 c 3 i 4 b 5 g 6 a 7 h 8 k
9 j 10 f 11 d