1. Saint Valentine's Day
Лысенко
Мария
Владимировна
Класс 54

2. Every February, across the
country, candy, flowers, and gifts
are exchanged between loved
ones, all in the name of St.
Valentine. But who is this
mysterious saint and why do we
celebrate this holiday? The history
of Valentine's Day — and its patron
saint — is shrouded in mystery.

4. So, who was Saint Valentine
and how did he become
associated with this ancient
rite?

5. One legend contends that
Valentine was a priest who served
during the third century in Rome.

6. When Emperor Claudius II decided that
single men made better soldiers than
those with wives and families, he
outlawed marriage for young men — his
crop of potential soldiers. Valentine,
realizing the injustice of the decree,
defied Claudius and continued to
perform marriages for young lovers in
secret. When Valentine's actions were
discovered, Claudius ordered that he
be put to death.

7. Other stories suggest that
Valentine may have been killed
for attempting to help Christians
escape harsh Roman prisons
where they were often beaten
and tortured.

8. According to one legend, Valentine actually
sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself.
While in prison, it is believed that Valentine
fell in love with a young girl — who may
have been his jailor's daughter — who
visited him during his confinement.

9. Before his death, it is alleged that
he wrote her a letter, which he
signed 'From your Valentine,' an
expression that is still in use today.

10. Although the truth behind the
Valentine legends is murky, the
stories certainly emphasize his
appeal as a sympathetic, heroic,
and, most importantly, romantic
figure. It's no surprise that by the
Middle Ages, Valentine was one
of the most popular saints in
England and France.

11. Early Valentine's Day Tradition in Britain
Unmarried girls in Britain and Italy used to wake up
before sunrise on Valentine's Day. They believed
that the first man they see on Valentine's Day or
someone who looks like him would marry them
within a year. Girls, therefore, used to wake up
early to stand by their window and wait for the man
to pass. William Shakespeare, the famous
English playwright, mentions this belief in Hamlet
(1603). Ophelia, a woman in the play, sings:
Good morrow! 'Tis St. Valentine's Day
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your valentine!

12. Valentines Day in Japan
Valentine's Day is celebrated in an interesting
manner on two different dates in the country of
Japan. On February 14, female present gifts to their
boyfriends or any man close to them. The favor is
returned to ladies on the White Day celebrated on
March 14 when men pamper women who gave
them gifts a month before on Valentines Day.

13. Tradition of Gifting Chocolates
There is a strong tradition of women gifting
chocolates to men on Valentines Day in Japan. It is
seen that two types of chocolates are more popular
for Valentine's Day. One type of chocolate called
giri-choco is bought for friends, bosses,
colleaguesand close male friends.
Chocolates for boyfriends or husbands are special
ones and are called hon-mei. Many Japanese girls
think that it is not true love if they buy Valentine's
day chocolates for their boyfriend and hence honmei
-choco is usually prepared by girls themselves.

14. Список литературы, ссылки интернета:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentines
2. http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-day
3. http://images.yandex.ru/search?text=valentines%20day&stype=image
4. http://www.stvalentinesday.org/valentines-day-in-britain.html