Valentine's Day 2002, 2003 and onwards

Valentine’s Day Australia : February 14

Valentine’s Day in Australia occurs on February 14 each year. It is not a public holiday. It is the day of romantic love when people send cards, love letters, chocolates, confectionery or small romantic presents to their (secret) loves (see also Valentine’s Day in our Shopping Calendar).

February 14, however, was originally a religious day in honour of Saint Valentine. He was a Christian martyr in the Roman era who was imprisoned for marrying Roman soldiers. The Christian religion was outlawed at that time and he was executed because he refused to give up his faith. For that reason, for a long period Saint Valentine was associated with sacrifice.

The first connection with romantic love is considered to be a poem by Geoffrey Chaucer written in 1382. The romantic tradition flourished in European courts in the late Middle Ages and found its way to the masses in the 18^th century in England. Nowadays it is a day that is observed in many countries around the world and is considered to be the day of romantic love and friendship.