Quick Facts: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 every year around the world. To a large extent a Western tradition, the day is now celebrated in an important way in the eastern part of the world also in countries like India and China. The day bears the name of a Christian Martyr Saint Valentine and is celebrated to commemorate the love between the companions.

It is believed that the day was first incorporated by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. There were numerous martyrs called Valentine in the early years who were martyred for various reasons. However, none of them was associated with love. It was in the 14th century that a Valentine was associated with love and it is believed that the tradition of Valentine's Day began with that particular Valentine.

However, there are several other theories about the origins of Valentine's Day. Some believe that the day was celebrated to respect Valentine when he refused to obey the orders of Emperor Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II had ordered the young men to abstain from marrying, since he believed that after marriage men were no longer good soldiers. However, the Valentine in question did not obey this order and helped many young men marry in secret. The Saint Valentine was killed by the emperor and therefore, the tradition of Valentine's Day began.

The day is celebrated mainly in the western countries, but it is beginning to make its presence in other countries also. On this day, lovers exchange gifts and cards to profess their love to each other, while single men and women go out in search of their Valentine. Several clubs and discos organize special nights on this day which is accompanied by music bashing, light candle dinners and other romantic settings.

Valentine's Day Observances
           DAY - DATE        HOLIDAY NAME

• ThuFeb 14, 2008    Valentine's Day
• SatFeb 14, 2009     Valentine's Day
• SunFeb 14, 2010    Valentine's Day
• MonFeb 14, 2011   Valentine's Day
• TueFeb 14, 2012    Valentine's Day
• ThuFeb 14, 2013    Valentine's Day
• FriFeb 14, 2014     Valentine's Day
• SatFeb 14, 2015     Valentine's Day
• SunFeb 14, 2016    Valentine's Day
• TueFeb 14, 2017     Valentine's Day

Us holidays celebrated in year 2017
          DAY - DATE             HOLIDAY NAME

• SunJan 01, 2017         New Year's Day
• MonJan 16, 2017        M L King Day
• TueFeb 14, 2017        Valentine's Day
• MonFeb 20, 2017       Presidents' Day
• FriApr 14, 2017         Good Friday
• SunApr 16, 2017        Easter Sunday
• SunMay 14, 2017       Mother's Day
• MonMay 29, 2017      Memorial Day
• SunJun 18, 2017        Father's Day
• TueJul 04, 2017         Independence Day
• MonSep 04, 2017       Labor Day
• MonOct 09, 2017       Columbus Day
• TueOct 31, 2017         Halloween
• SatNov 11, 2017        Veterans Day
• ThuNov 23, 2017      Thanksgiving Day