Valentine's Day, also known as "Valentine's Day", is a commemorative date that celebrates the love and union of couples. On this day, lovers usually exchange gifts, flowers, chocolates and declarations of love.
In Brazil, Valentine's Day is celebrated on June 12th, but in many other countries this celebration takes place on February 14th, which is St. Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day Story (Valentine's Day)
In many countries around the world, especially in Europe and the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated on the day February 14th, O Valentine Day - a saint recognized by the Catholic Church.
The exact origin of this celebration is not proven, but one of the most famous legends says that Valentine was a priest in Rome in the mid-third century, when the Roman Empire was ruled by Claudius II.
Claudius II decides to forbid the celebration of marriages, as he believed that if men stayed single, they would be better soldiers, as they would not have built the bonds of a family.
Priest Valentim did not agree with this measure and, contrary to the emperor's orders, he celebrated marriages in a hidden way.
Carlos II learns of the celebrations that Valentim was having and orders him to be jailed. Years later, in 270, the priest is executed.
St. Valentine became a saint and in the year 494 Pope Gelasius I determined that February 14 would be St. Valentine's Day. This date was celebrated for centuries by the Catholic Church, until 1969.
Although it is no longer celebrated by the Catholic Church, the celebration of Valentine's Day has become a tradition in society and remains an important date on the calendar.
As it is celebrated with the exchange of gifts, outings and dinners, Valentine's Day has also become a very important date for commerce.
Valentine's day in Brazil
The celebration of Valentine's Day was not a tradition in Brazil, the date began to be celebrated after an advertising campaign carried out in 1949.
That year, publicist João Dória, director of the Standard Propaganda Agency, created a commercial campaign for the Clipper store, which used to have low sales in June.
One of the slogans used for the campaign was:
It's not just kissing that love lives.
The 12th was chosen because it is the eve of the day of St. Anthony, the matchmaker.
In the following years, the date began to become popular, other companies worked on advertising campaigns aimed at Valentine's Day and the tradition spread throughout the country.
Today in Brazil, Valentine's Day is the third busiest celebration in commerce, behind only Mother's Day and Christmas. On this day, couples exchange gifts and usually dine in restaurants.
See also the meaning of dating and know the names of the dating wedding.