St. Valentines Day
February 14
St. Valentines Day has roots in several different legends that have found their way to us through the ages. One of the earliest popular symbols of the day is Cupid, the Roman god of love, who is represented by the image of a young boy with bow and arrow.
Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods. Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded, not only because he was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the jailers daughter of her blindness. The night before he was executed, he wrote the jailers daughter a farewell letter, signing it From Your Valentine. Another legend tells us that this same Valentine, well-loved by all, received notes to his jail cell from children and friends who missed him.
Another Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same time, AD 200. He was imprisoned because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman emperor. Some legends say he was burned at the stake.
February 14 was also a Roman holiday, held in honor of a goddess. Young men randomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivities. The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this date spread through Europe in the Middle Ages, and then to the early American colonies. Throughout the ages, people also believed that birds picked their mates on February 14!
In AD 496 Sain Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as Valentines Day. Although its not an official holiday, most Americans observe this day.
Whatever the odd mixture of origins, St. Valentines Day is now a day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or loved one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special. Or you can send roses, the flower of love. Most people send valentines, a greeting card named after the notes that St. Valentine received in jail. Valentines can be sentimental, romantic and heartfelt. They can be funny and friendly. If the sender is shy, valentines can be anonymous.
Americans of all ages love to send and receive valentines. Handmade valentines created by cutting hearts out of colored paper, show that a lot of thought was put into making them personal. Valentines can be heart-shaped, or have hearts, the symbol of love, on them. In elementary schools children make valentines for their classmates and put them in a large decorated box, similar to a mailbox. On February 14, the teacher opens the box and distributes the valentines to each student. After the students read their valentines they have a small party with refreshments.
For teenagers and adults, major newspapers throughout the country have a Valentines Day offer. Anyone can send in a message, for a small fee of course, destined for a would-be sweetheart, a good friend, an acquaintance or even a spouse of fifty years. The message is printed in a special section of the newspaper on February 14.
苹果的全新iPad 六大新特性
路坠热水坑女子重伤不治
3D巧克力打印机甜蜜创意:想吃巧克力?打印一份!
智能手机即将“反客为主”统治人类?
大红裙 Big Red
冲动消费太可怕:八绝招管住你的钱包
婚照上杂志封面的名人婚姻多短命?
爱因斯坦十大名言
会让你患上疾病的五个坏习惯
马琳无缘奥运泪洒庆功会 刘国梁称赞老将大局为重
“三冠王”特奥菲洛•斯蒂文森:奥运拳坛神话
到新公司第一天你必须做的四件事
贾斯汀比伯与Lady Gaga粉丝微博大混战
哪些食物可以降血压
虎父无犬子:8岁男孩继承父业饲养鳄鱼
电视真人秀的公益
变性美女亮出“女人证”重返选美赛场
北苏门答腊西岸发生8.9级地震 当局发布海啸预警
美媒评职业排名:IT民工领先 媒体从业者垫底
90后中国男生加拿大狮口救人
法总统萨科奇为保持身材逐奶酪出宫
帮你找回童真的动画旅馆
苹果CEO年薪3.78亿美元 库克雄霸全美CEO排行榜
日本发明播种高跟鞋 旨在早日还福岛绿色
《泰坦尼克号》10大经典台词
泰坦尼克号沉没百年 纪念之旅启程
最受吃货欢迎的研究:常吃巧克力会变瘦
为什么面试失败的总是你
正式书信写作八步指南
谷歌推出智能眼镜 可导航拍照上网聊天
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |