Valentine's Day has a surprisingly dark origin. In ancient Rome, Emperor Claudius II banned young soldiers from marrying, believing single men made better warriors. Defying this, a priest named Valentine secretly officiated weddings. When caught, he was executed on February 14, 278 AD. Legend has it he sent a farewell note to the jailer’s daughter signed "From your Valentine." Over time, this tragic tale transformed into a celebration of love, evolving into today’s tradition of gifts, chocolates, and overpriced roses.
