Every year on February 14th, America celebrates Valentine’s Day. The origins of this widely celebrated holiday are unknown, but some believe it is celebrated to commemorate St. Valentine, a Roman clergyman who was executed on February 14th, 270 AD for marrying couples against the mandate of the emperor. Whether or not people like it, Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular holidays, being the second most popular greeting-card-giving occasion.
“I hate it,” says one sophomore, Anna Auldridge, “I just want flowers, but I never get them.”
Valentine’s day is one of the most profitable holidays behind Halloween and Christmas. 53% of women in America say they would dump their boyfriends if they did not receive any gifts from them.
Around the beginning of February you can see the colors of red, pink, and white decorating stores and school halls, trying to get students and shoppers in the ‘mood for love.’ The total value of shipments of chocolate in 2007 was 14.4 billion dollars. “I like Valentine’s day, mainly because I get chocolate and candy,” says on freshman, Brittany Hill.
Then there is the few that don’t necessarily benefit or care for Valentine’s Day. “I don’t really care for it,” Rowan Reynolds said, “I believe that everyday should be love day and that Valentine’s day isn’t that special to me; just another day.”
“I don’t really have any plans for it and I don’t feel the need to make any,” Rowan Reynolds continued. There are 120 single men who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages.
No matter what people think about Valentine’s Day it has become a large part of our culture in America. Valentine’s Day has been celebrated for a long time it was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496.
Mansfield High School Online Newspaper