Reading - Valentine's Day

 

Valentine's Day is a popular annual holiday celebrated on the 14th of February. On this day people show their love for one another. This tradition began about 300 years ago in England. Today it is celebrated all around the world. Lovers will send a Valentine's card or note to their partner, as well as a small gift such as chocolates or flowers. Valentine's Day is the most romantic day of the year!

Valentine's Day is named after Saint Valentine, but we don't actually know who Saint Valentine was! One theory is that Saint Valentine was a priest in Roman times called Valentine, who was thrown in jail for disagreeing with a Roman Emperor. While he was in jail he fell in love with his jailer's daughter. Before he was executed he sent a note to his beloved - and signed it From your Valentine. Could this have been the first Valentine's Day card? This expression is still used today in Valentine's cards. Many people believe, however, that this is a story created more recently to make Valentine's Day more popular.

An early Valentine's card

It wasn't until about 300 years ago that people in Great Britain began to celebrate Saint Valentine's Day. Young people used to exchange hand written notes or romantic poetry. These notes were sent to lovers or just good friends. Over time hand written notes and poems were replaced by mass produced greeting cards. Often these cards are sent by people anonymously.

The red rose - a symbol of Valentine's Day

Today Valentine's Day is celebrated in many parts of the world. It is the second most popular time of the year to send greeting cards. It is estimated than about 1 billion cards are sent each year! Only Christmas time is more popular for sending cards. As well as cards people send red roses, chocolates, candy or even diamonds! In schools it is common for students to send hand made cards to each other. Cupid, the god of desire, is the icon of Valentine's Day. Cupid is said to shoot couples with his bow and arrow to fill them with desire for each other. Will you be hit by Cupid's arrow on Valentine's Day this year? 

 

To find out more about Valentine's Day visit History.com

 

Vocabulary

popular () - something or someone that is well liked

tradition () - customs or beliefs that have been passed down between generations

romantic () - to be concerned with love, the feelings of love

theory () - an idea that explains something

emperor () - the male leader of an empire

executed () - to carry out an instruction or to put to death according to the law

mass produced () - something that is manufactured in a large amount

anonymously () - to do something without giving your name

estimated () - to have an approximate idea of the value of something

diamonds () - a very valuable precious stone that is very hard and colourless

desire () - to want or wish for something

icon () - a picture or image that represents something

 

Now try our Valentine's Day quiz!

 

Shop Amazon - Valentine's Day in Children's Books

 

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Comment by coco on February 5, 2013 at 12:40

Right Teacher, thank you.


Teacher
Comment by English Teacher Jamie on February 5, 2013 at 12:37

That's nice Coco. I agree - Valentine's Day is not always about love. It's a day to remember the people we care about!

Comment by coco on March 27, 2012 at 19:07

I like Valentine's Day.  Valentin's Day is not only about romance.  We can also tell - I LOVE YOU - to family and friend and have a little celebration like eat cake and chocolat with them.  We always do a little thing in my family for my little niece and nephew.  Children always love to celebrate something like just eat cake and watch a movie so it's a big party for them.  Children love thing like that and it's so cute to see them so I cannot not like this day.  Children love to have celebration of any kind so we have to think like them to see the beauty of life.

Comment by Blue Peace on February 5, 2012 at 14:47

In my country, people think Valentine's Day is just for lovers not for friends. Therefore I didn't care about this day very much. :(

I think it is not for me. :)

Comment by fang on January 25, 2012 at 5:57

Well done ^^ I have just clicked like  :D


Teacher
Comment by English Teacher Jamie on January 24, 2012 at 14:15

I'm not sure why that might happen. Can anyone else like this page?

Comment by May on January 24, 2012 at 14:09

Ohhh when i click to share from your Facebook...it show "You don't have sufficient permissions to do that."

Comment by May on January 24, 2012 at 14:05

I don't know :(


Teacher
Comment by English Teacher Jamie on January 24, 2012 at 13:38

I just LIKED it. What's happened?

Comment by May on January 24, 2012 at 13:37

It doesn't has LIKE button. I can't see it.


Teacher
Comment by English Teacher Jamie on January 24, 2012 at 12:05

I don't know May! What happened?

Comment by May on January 21, 2012 at 15:16

why i can't click like???


Teacher
Comment by English Teacher Jamie on January 16, 2012 at 7:06

In England I can't remember giving cards to my teachers! I am sure we did at primary school.

This year Valentine's Day will be an exam day! Not a good day for the students. :(

Comment by fang on January 16, 2012 at 6:09

Thanks our kind teacher ^_______^ 

The valentine 's of this year is coming soon!  but i'm not soon you still pass through this day at school or not ^^" 

Your comment make me thing of the atmosphere of Valentine's Day at primary school. When i was a student i also liked to give the flowers and candy to friends ,teachers too.  That was a funny day :D  

How about Valentine's of England at school ?  The student also give the flowers or candy to teacher, right ? 

@ ^________^ @


Teacher
Comment by English Teacher Jamie on January 16, 2012 at 3:33

Thanks for your comment Fang!

A jailer (or jailor) is a person who is in charge of prisoners in a jail (prison). Today we might call them a prison guard, or a prison warden.

On Valentine's Day I often get covered in heart shaped stickers. I also get lots of candy. The school looks like a florist, there are red roses everywhere! The prices are tripled, yes, that's correct. A good day for the florists!

I think Valentine's Day is popular for young people because they are looking for someone special. It's nice that in Thailand people share cards and gifts with friends, family and even teachers! It's not just about romance.

Comment by fang on January 15, 2012 at 15:09

Thanks teacher !  Saint Valentine was a romantic person :D 

What 's the meaning in jailer's daughter ? 

When i was a child i used to page the heart sticker on teachers and friends shirt.That was very funny:) 

Have you got it in Valentine's Day ?  ^^

Nowadays, Teenager of my country are effected by American culture so much. Some of them pay attention it than Mather's Day and Father's Day.  Maybe this age like to make good relationship in opposite sex.( boy like girl or girl like boy ) Teacher ! Can you understand ? 

That is a gold day at florist.The price of red roses  are increased about  triple ( Is it correct ?) 

Love is very beautiful but we can't get love with everybody that you love as well as  you can share your best wish to everybody that you love    ^________^  

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