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Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, observed on Feburary 14th, falls on the same day as the birthday of two Christian saints named Valentine. However, the way we celebrate Valentine's Day has more to do with the Roman festival of Lepercalia than Christian saints. The Festival of Lepercalia honored Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and Pan the god of nature.

In ancient Rome, boys and girls were kept apart throughout the year, but during the festival of Lepercalia, though, they were allowed to mix and mingle. During this time boys and girls would often pledge their love to one another. They would also write each other notes of love and poetry promising to meet again the next year. These notes have become the modern day Valentine's Day cards. Read more about Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day Crossword 1