Valentine’s Day has always been the day dedicated to lovers. There are many stories as to how Valentine’s day started. Here is one of them.

Valentine’s Day has its origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, observed on Feb. 15. Lupercalia celebrated the coming of Spring in the Roman calendar (February was observed later in the year than it is today).

Lupercalia was associated with the Roman gods Lupercalia was associated with the Roman gods Lupercus and Faunus. Lupercus watched over Lupercus and Faunus. Lupercus watched over shepherds and their flocks and the festival of shepherds and their flocks and the festival of Lupercalia became a celebration intended to ensure Lupercalia became a celebration intended to ensure the fertility of flocks, fields and people.the fertility of flocks, fields and people.

The celebration of The celebration of Lupercalia Lupercalia transformed and transformed and spread as the spread as the Roman Empire Roman Empire grew. When the grew. When the Romans Romans conquered France, conquered France, it was then that the it was then that the first Valentine-like first Valentine-like cards may have cards may have been exchanged. been exchanged.

Apparently, a Apparently, a container in which container in which women had placed women had placed their names their names (possibly (possibly accompanied by accompanied by love notes) was love notes) was used in a lottery. used in a lottery. Men drawing a Men drawing a women’s name women’s name would either seek would either seek or were guaranteed or were guaranteed that woman’s that woman’s favors. favors.

1. Hundreds of years ago in England, many 1. Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:One verse they sang was:

Good morning to you, valentine;Good morning to you, valentine;

Curl your locks as I do mine –Curl your locks as I do mine –

Two before and thee behind.Two before and thee behind.

Good morning to you, valentine.Good morning to you, valentine.

2.2. In Wales wooden love spoons were carved In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meanton the spoons. The decoration meant, ", "You You unlock my heartunlock my heart!"!"

3. In the Middle Ages, young men and women 3. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To names on their sleeves for one week. To wear you heart on your sleeve now means wear you heart on your sleeve now means that in is easy for other people to know how that in is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.you are feeling.

4. In some countries, 4. In some countries, a young woman may a young woman may receive a gift of receive a gift of clothing from a young clothing from a young man. If she keeps the man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will gift, it means she will marry him.marry him.

5. Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch she would marry a millionaire.

1. My bonnie is over the ocean,

My bonnie is over the sea,

My bonnie is over the ocean,

Oh, bring back my bonnie to me.

Refrain: Bring back, bring back,

Oh, bring back my bonnie to me, to me.

Refrain: Bring back, bring back,

Oh, bring back my bonnie to me, to me.

2. Oh, blow ye winds over the 2. Oh, blow ye winds over the ocean,ocean,

Oh, blow ye winds over the sea,Oh, blow ye winds over the sea,

Oh, blow ye winds over the Oh, blow ye winds over the ocean,ocean,

And bring back my bonnie to And bring back my bonnie to me.me.

Refrain:Refrain: Bring back, bring back, Bring back, bring back,

Oh, bring back my bonnie to Oh, bring back my bonnie to me, to me.me, to me.

Refrain:Refrain: Bring back, bring back, Bring back, bring back,

Oh, bring back my bonnie to Oh, bring back my bonnie to me, to me.me, to me.

3. Last night when I lay on the pillow,

Last night when I lay on the bed,

Last night when I lay on the pillow,

I dreamed that my bonnie was dead.

Refrain: Bring back, bring back,

Oh, bring back my bonnie to me, to me.

Refrain: Bring back, bring back,

Oh, bring back my bonnie to me, to me.

4. The winds have blown over 4. The winds have blown over the ocean,the ocean,

The winds have blown over the The winds have blown over the sea,sea,

The winds have blown over the The winds have blown over the ocean,ocean,

And bring back my bonnie to me.And bring back my bonnie to me.

Refrain:Refrain: Bring back, bring back, Bring back, bring back,

Oh, bring back my bonnie to me, Oh, bring back my bonnie to me, to me.to me.

Refrain:Refrain: Bring back, bring back, Bring back, bring back,

Oh, bring back my bonnie to me, Oh, bring back my bonnie to me, to me.to me.

1. Lupercalia is :1. Lupercalia is :A.A. The Roman festivalThe Roman festival

B.B. The Roman god The Roman god

C.C. The town in BritainThe town in Britain..

2. When did the first Valentine – 2. When did the first Valentine – like cards appear?like cards appear?

A.A. The USA The USA

B.B. When the Romans conquered FranWhen the Romans conquered Francece

C.C.Britain Britain

3. On Valentine’s Day many children:3. On Valentine’s Day many children:A.A. Sing songs Sing songs

B.B. Play tricks Play tricks

C.C. Ask money Ask money

4. In Wales on the 144. In Wales on the 14thth of February of FebruaryA.A. Valentine – like cards Valentine – like cards

B.B. Big cups Big cups

C.C. Wooden love spoonsWooden love spoons

were given as gifts. were given as gifts.

5. What did young men and women 5. What did young men and women draw the names from a bowl for?draw the names from a bowl for?

A.A. To know their valentines To know their valentines

B.B. To know how you are feeling To know how you are feeling

C.C. To know the origin of your name.To know the origin of your name.

Choose the right answer:

6. If a woman saw 1. A robin

2. A sparrow

3. A goldfinch.

she would

a) Marry a millionaire

b) Marry a poor

c) Marry a sailor

A. 1-a 2-b 3-c B. 1-b 2-c 3-a C. 1-c 2-b 3a