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Why we celebrate Valentine’s Day
While historians disagree on the origin, and sources are sparse, the most endearing legend has it that the day is named after a Roman priest called Valentine. When the Roman Emperor Claudius II had a hard time recruiting soldiers for his army in the 3rd century, he forbade young men to get engaged or married. Priest Valentine went ahead and married young couples in secret anyway. It is said that he was arrested and later executed on February 14th. Thereafter the Roman-Catholic church submitted him to sainthood as Saint Valentine, the guardian of lovers.