One of the traditions of the festival took place on the eve of the festival, February 14th. The names of the Roman girls were written on pieces of paper. The young men would draw the name of a girl and she would become his sweetheart for the year.
According to legend, a priest by the name of Valentine was ordered to die by Claudius II, simply for marrying Roman soldiers. Claudius had ordered the soldiers not to marry. Apparently he never heard the saying "make love, not war".
Valentine was put to death on February 14th, the eve of the festival. He was then canonized and in honor and celebration of Valentine.........St. Valentine's Day!
