Valentine’s Day is celebrated each year on the 14th of February. The day is also known as Saint Valentine’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Valentine; it was originally a Christian feast day to honor Saint Valentine, who was a 3rd Century Christian priest who was imprisoned, tortured, and martyred in Rome on 14 February 269. Over the centuries, the commemorative day developed into a celebration of love and romance.
The earliest mention of Valentine’s Day in an Australian context was in 1825.
On Valentine’s Day it is traditional for lovers to exchange gifts, such as cards, chocolates, and flowers; or they may go on a date or take a holiday together. People may also give cards to those they are fond of, or in love with.
See also: “Saint Valentine’s Day”
An IAC article about Saint Valentine’s Day.
Articles and poems relating to Valentine’s Day:
(Arranged in chronological order.)
A Valentine [poem, 18 February 1825]
A Valentine’s Day poem. This is the earliest known mention of Valentine’s Day in an Australian newspaper. Published in the Hobart Town Gazette, and Van Diemen’s Land Advertiser (Hobart Town, Tas.).
St. Valentine’s Day [poem by Bessie Vickery, 13 February 1880]
A poem by Bessie Vickery. Published in the Alexandra & Yea Standard; Gobur, Thornton, and Acheron Express (Alexandra, Vic.).
St. Valentine’s Day [16 February 1880]
An article which reports on the high level of mail experienced by the post office on Valentine’s Day. Also refers to the practice of sending ribald and spiteful cards on that day. Published in The Ballarat Star (Ballarat, Vic.).
Valentine’s Day [poem by Maurice Farjeon, 14 February 1887]
A poem by Maurice Farjeon. Published in The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.).
St. Valentine’s Day: No valentine trade: Valentine chit chat [14 February 1894]
An article which says that Valentine’s Day “is dying out”, exemplified by the decline in trade of Valentine’s Day cards (although many flowers were being sold). Published in The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.).
St. Valentine’s Day [poem by H.N.L.K., 14 February 1895]
A poem by H.N.L.K. Published in The Mount Alexander Mail (Castlemaine, Vic.).
Valentine’s day [21 February 1896]
This article says that Valentine’s Day has “fallen out of favor”. Includes a poem from a woman proposing marriage to a man. Published in the Morwell Advertiser (Morwell, Vic.).
Valentine Day: Vanishing Valentines [10 February 1897]
An article which talks about the heights of the Valentine’s Day card industry, but which says that “there can be no doubt that the custom observed on the 14th February will soon be numbered among the interesting memories of the past”. Published in the The Shoalhaven Telegraph (Nowra, NSW).
St. Valentine’s Day [15 February 1900]
This article says that Valentine’s Day is becoming unknown, and that “The old practice of sending valentines has almost if not completely died out.”
Vanished St. Valentine [22 February 1902]
An article which says that Valentine’s Day “is rapidly becoming a saint’s day of the past”. Published in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (Newcastle, NSW).
Her valentine [by F.F.B., 10 February 1915]
This article says that Valentine’s Day “has now fallen into disuse”. It also tells an anecdote about a woman who only ever received one Valentine’s Day card. Published in The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW).
St. Valentine’s Day [17 February 1923]
A letter to the The Saturday Journal (Adelaide, SA) tells of his own experience with Valentine’s Day as a child; also gives some reasons for the decline of the day.
An Editorial: St. Valentines Day [13 February 1937]
An editorial regarding Valentine’s Day and its waning; it also makes mention of its revival in Britain and America. Published in The Australian Women’s Weekly (Sydney, NSW).
Valentine [poem by Phyllis Duncan-Brown, 13 February 1937]
A poem by Phyllis Duncan-Brown, pertaining to Valentine’s Day. Published in The Australian Women’s Weekly (Sydney, NSW).
Modern Valentines [poem by “Den” (C. J. Dennis), 15 February 1937]
A poem by “Den” (C. J. Dennis). Published in The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.).
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