Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated on the 14th of February in the U.S., U.K., and many other countries but why is it so important?
Valentine’s Day is an important holiday for many people in the Harwood community to spend time with friends, family, and loved ones. Along with giving gifts, cards, flowers, and showing their appreciation in other ways. Common Ground wanted to shed light on the brief history and upcoming of Valentine’s day as a holiday, and explain its importance to Harwood.
History of Valentine’s Day
The origin of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery. There are lots of variations of how it amounted to what it is today, a day of love. The older story begins with Valentine’s Day starting at the end of the 5th century with Pope Gelasius which forbade the celebration of a holiday “Lupercalia.” St. Valentine’s Day was a day of romance until the 14th century. While it exploded in the U.S. in the 19th Century, countries like Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, don’t celebrate it. They don’t due to not allying with their religions so it’s banned in Iran as a “western holiday,” furthermore, religions like Islam do not allow it’s celebration.
The importance of Valentine’s day has changed over the centuries, but in modern times it is celebrated for love, gifts, and significant others as a day for heartfelt actions. It has always been a day from appreciation of St. Valentine to romance for couples, and a gift giving event for friends and family. It can help us spend time with one another and bond over the little things.
How does Harwood feel about Valentine’s Day?
How impactful are stereotypes on Valentine’s day? Well Emma A. a 10th grader from Harwood, stated “I only celebrate with friends and family to go out to dinner and give gifts.” There is a stigma on not being in a relationship on Valentine’s Day, as a reason for people to “Be lonely” which isn’t the case; it is a holiday for everyone. Grisel, a senior at Harwood also stated “My family hasn’t really celebrated, but in the past I used to just stay home. Only this year I celebrated.” Not celebrating is not a bad thing at all, but also changing a view of a holiday can also impact you in a positive way to be with new friends. Whether it’s loved ones such as parents, siblings, or friends it is a time to bond, nobody should feel like that defines them or would have to celebrate the holiday.
Valentine’s day is important to the Harwood Community because it helps bring neighborhoods, families, and friends together for a day in either love in relationships or for friends and loved ones. As a newcomer from Maryland in a community such as Harwood has helped me to find how united these people are and genuinely care for one another. For many regions in the world Valentine’s day is a significant holiday for cultural and religious celebrations, including right here in Vermont with all the different cultures and beliefs and many having their own values including which holiday they will support.
What moments on Valentine’s Day resonate with you?
How do moments/memories on Valentine’s day resonate with you?” I never used to celebrate the holiday but this Valentine’s day I hung out with friends and watched a movie and it was very enjoyable to have a new experience,” stated Grisel, a student at Harwood; she shows that it doesn’t have to be a special day for some and you don’t have to celebrate; you can have your own opinions and beliefs on Valentine’s Day. “When I was younger, spending Valentine’s Day sledding with my family made it a fun and good memory every time I thought about Valentine’s Day. That’s what comes up.” Emma, another student at Harwood stated when asked this question, showing how Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about romance only- it can contribute to happiness and enjoying being around family and friends.
The Harwood community has many ways of celebrating Valentine’s Day, and while it has come and gone, Common Ground asks you how you will celebrate next year?
