Major Events: Valentine's Day

5 Danish krone coin with the image of a heart on the coin.

Valentine's Day is a traditional celebration of Anglo-Saxon countries that has been implemented in other countries throughout the twentieth century mainly in which couples in love express their love and affection for each other. It is celebrated on February 14.

In 268 AD, Caesar Marcus Aurelius Claudius Augustus, acceded to the throne of the Roman Empire. Desperate to "strengthen" his army, he decreed that all the soldiers of the Empire remain single, convinced that without the "frivolous" distraction of marriage, many of them would become efficient soldiers.
Defying the orders of the new emperor, Valentinus, a Roman physician who became a priest, began performing secret marriages among the Christian community. He was soon discovered, arrested and condemned to death. On February 14 he was beheaded outside the Villa Flaminia in Rome by order of the Emperor.