Happy heart day

Where it started
According to history.com, the exact origins and history of St. Valentine are not completely known. The Catholic Encyclopedia states, “At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of 14 February.”
But history.com explains that a holy priest in Rome named Valentine was executed on Feb. 14, around 278 A.D., in the days of Emperor Claudius II.
During that time, Rome was involved in many wars and Claudius had a strong army, but wasn’t getting enough men to join his military. Claudius believed this was because the men were too attached to their wives and families. So, Claudius banned marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine believed that was wrong and continued to perform marriages in secret.
When he was found out, Valentine was arrested and condemned to be beaten to death with clubs, and beheaded.
Legends also tell that Valentine became friends with the jailor’s daughter, so before he was executed, he left a note for her signed, “From Your Valentine.”
He was named a saint after his death.
According to catholic.org, archaeologists have found a Roman catacomb and ancient church dedicated to St. Valentine, and Pope Gelasius marked Feb. 14 as a celebration in St. Valentine’s honor in 496 A.D.
Where it is now
Valentine’s Day has become a day to celebrate love, devotion, and romance. It is celebrated on Feb. 14. The day consists of flowers, candies, and cards given to those we love.
To celebrate, Project Strive hosted a Valentine’s Day crafting event Tuesday.
Glitter, buttons, puzzle pieces, colorful construction paper, heart stamps, and other crafting materials were provided for Project Strive students.
“This event allowed students to come and create a Valentine but also is a stress reliever to give the students a break from studying and focus on something positive for at least an hour or longer,” Director of Project Strive Jennifer Schaer said. “It also gives students the opportunity to socialize with other members of Project Strive and the staff.”
Four-year Striver Mikayla Gallagher, 22, junior of Spearfish, South Dakota, attended the event and said, “My favorite thing about Project Strive is having an adviser to help me through things like organizing my class schedule.”
Schaer has been the director of Project Strive for five years and says her favorite, most rewarding aspect of Project Strive is helping the students on a daily basis, watching them grow each year, and being able to see them walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
Project Strive provides services such as individual academic advising, graduation planning, career exploration, personal counseling, cultural/social/educational events, and a study area as well as additional resources.
The crafting event that Project Strive hosted is just one small aspect of modern day Valentine’s Day.
According to Hallmark research, on Valentine’s Day, 141 million cards are exchanged annually, which makes Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving day, behind Christmas. More than half of the United State’s population celebrates the holiday by buying a card.
According to history.com, there are 119 single men, which is defined as never married, widowed or divorced, in their 20s for every 100 single women in their 20s.
Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark, Italy, and Japan also celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Making valentines or buying valentines, it doesn’t matter which, just remember the holiday began with a man who went against his government to express love, and today we can still do the same.
RLA will be hosting speed dating at 8 p.m. Tuesday in The Hub to celebrate.