2004Valentine`s Day - First Day Cover

Every year on February the 14th Lover's day – Valentine's day is celebrated. The story of Valentine's day roots far back from the 3. century b. c. when the emperor Claudius ruled the Roman Empire. He forbade his soldiers to marry and to establish a family so they could be unburdened and completely devoted to warring. A roman priest by the name of Valentine did not respect his prohibition so he secretly wedded brides and grooms believing in love and all it's joys. At the wedding he would give the newlyweds a red rose, which even today symbolizes an act of love. Coming to know this Claudius arrested Valentine and burnt him at the stake on the 14th of February. In the year of 469 the Pope Gelacije dedicated this day to saint Valentine therefore this day is celebrated till this day as Lover's Day, and saint Valentine became patron saint of the people who are in love.

Besides red roses and hearts a frequent symbol of the state of being in love is Cupid. Cupid is the roman god of love, and appears as a winged boy armed with a bow and arrow. The legend says that whomever Cupid's golden bow strikes that person will «lose» their heart to the first person they set eyes upon.

Love knows no boundaries, religion or race and is celebrated throughout the world by people in love gifting each other with flowers, presents and sending cards.