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Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Books, Movies and Music

For Adults:

Holiday Hearts: Recipes
Holiday Hearts: Recipes

by Pamela Sheldon Johns

Valentine School Parties: What Do I Do?
Valentine School Parties: What Do I Do?

by Wilhelminia Ripple

Valentine Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family
Valentine Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family

by Sara Perry with Kathlyn Meskel

Valentine Treasury: A Century of Valentine Cards
Valentine Treasury: A Century of Valentine Cards

by Robert Brenner

Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald
Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald

edited by Jackson R. Bryer and Cathy W. Barks

100 Love Sonnets (Cien Sonetos de Amor)
100 Love Sonnets (Cien Sonetos de Amor)

by Pablo Neruda

50 Greatest Love Letters of All Time
50 Greatest Love Letters of All Time

Selected by David H. Lowenherz

Shakespeare in Love: The Love Poetry of William Shakespeare
Shakespeare in Love: The Love Poetry of William Shakespeare

For Teens:

Blushing: Expressions of Love in Poems & Letters
Blushing: Expressions of Love in Poems & Letters
compiled by Paul B. Janeczko

Teen People Love Stories of True Romance
Teen People Love Stories of True Romance

edited by Jennifer Soong

The Girls' Book of Love: Cool Quotes, Super Stories, Awesome Advice, and More
The Girls' Book of Love: Cool Quotes, Super Stories, Awesome Advice, and More

edited by Catherine Dee

Romance, Poetry and Relationship book lists for teens.

Movies:

Chocolat
Chocolat

Shakespeare in Love
Shakespeare in Love

Il Postino
Il Postino

Angelina Ballerina: The Magic of Dance
Angelina Ballerina: The Magic of Dance

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Be My Big Red Valentine
Clifford the Big Red Dog: Be My Big Red Valentine

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown

For Kids:

Strawberry Shortcake: Be My Valentine!
Strawberry Shortcake: Be My Valentine!

by Megan E. Bryant

Pooh's Valentine
Pooh's Valentine

by A.A. Milne

If You'll Be My Valentine
If You'll Be My Valentine

by Cynthia Rylant

Little Bear's Valentine
Little Bear's Valentine

by Else Holmelund Minarik

Valentine's Day: Candy, Love, and Hearts
Valentine's Day: Candy, Love, and Hearts

by Elaine Landau

Rhyme Time Valentine
Rhyme Time Valentine

by Nancy Poydar

Valentine's Day at the Zoo
Valentine's Day at the Zoo

by Nadine Bernard Westcott

Olive You! And Other Valentine Knock-Knock Jokes You'll A-Door
Olive You! And Other Valentine Knock-Knock Jokes You'll A-Door

by Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg

The Story of Valentine's Day
The Story of Valentine's Day

by Clyde Robert Bulla

Valentine Fun Activity Book
Valentine Fun Activity Book

by Judith Stamper

Rotten Ralph's Rotten Romance
Rotten Ralph's Rotten Romance

by Jack Gantos

Favorite Greek Myths
Favorite Greek Myths

retold by Mary Pope Osborne

Music:

Come Fly With Me
Come Fly With Me

Michael Bublé

A Thousand Kisses Deep
A Thousand Kisses Deep
Chris Botti

Ella and Louis Again
Ella and Louis Again
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

Love Songs
Love Songs

Nat King Cole

Love Songs
Love Songs

Julio Iglesias

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Journal Articles

Below you will find journal articles on the subject of Valentine's Day.

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Can Valentine's Day be Healthy...and Sexy?

Validating Valentine

Who Prays to St. Valentine?

Victor and St. Valentine

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Links

Mail a Valentine from Loveland

Learn How to Say I Love You in 60 Different Languages

Valentine's Day Recipes

History, Cards, and Crafts

Valentine's Day Fun for Kids

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History

There are many different legends about Valentine's Day. One such story is that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married so he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military base. Supposedly, Valentine chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine's actions he had him put to death.

Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor's daughter. Before he was put to death he sent her a letter and signed it 'Your Valentine,' words still used on cards today.

February 14 was also a Roman holiday where young men randomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivities. Throughout the ages, people also believed that birds picked their mates on February 14!

In AD 496, Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as "Valentine's Day." Although it's not an official holiday, most Americans observe this day.

Read more history of Valentine's Day.

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Updated: February 08, 2008