Perspectives
Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day and who was Saint Valentine?
Valentine’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, recognized by people of all ages and backgrounds. Every year on February 14, we exchange heartfelt cards, give flowers, and express our love for those close to us. But have you ever wondered why we celebrate this holiday and where it originated? What is the true story behind Saint Valentine, the figure after whom the day is named? This article explores the origins, myths, and traditions of Valentine’s Day, shedding light on how it evolved into the modern celebration of love and affection that we know today.
By Arean Ahamad2 years ago in History
25 Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Valentine's Day (Including How Much the Average Person Spends on the Holiday!)
Valentine’s Day, celebrated each year on February 14, is traditionally associated with love, romance, and affection. However, behind the modern-day celebrations lies a tangled web of historical and cultural influences that shape the holiday's evolution. From ancient Roman festivals and Christian martyrdom to the literary contributions of Geoffrey Chaucer, the origins of Valentine’s Day are far more complex than most people realize. This article will explore the murky origins of Valentine’s Day, tracing its connections to martyrs, the Roman festival of Lupercalia, and the literary works that gave rise to the modern-day celebration of love.
By Arean Ahamad2 years ago in History
The Bloody Origins of Valentine’s Day: A Darkly Romantic History
Ah, Valentine’s Day—the one day a year when we’re all expected to profess our love with overpriced chocolate, flowers that die within a week, and Hallmark cards dripping with saccharine declarations of eternal devotion. But how did we get here? How did a holiday built on grand romantic gestures, candlelit dinners, and unbearable PDA actually come to exist?
By The Kind Quill2 years ago in History
Ol Jersey Gal Remembering The Shores
The above photo is an angled view of a piece of Atlantic City, New Jersey in 2025. Photos like this one have me reminiscing about my childhood in New Jersey and many summer holidays spent at "The Shores". For my family there were three swimming spots that we frequented: Asbury Park, Seaside Heights, and McDonald Park - which was a lake and park, no longer open to the public today. I never went to visit Atlantic City when I was a child, though I had heard plenty of the adults talk about their mini-vacations there especially the women who loved bingo and the slot machines.
By Shanon Angermeyer Norman2 years ago in History
Trump and JFK — From the Moon to Mankind
But with all these challenges and nuances, has American society stopped looking to the stars and dreaming of exploring new frontiers? That is what I will try to determine in this brief analysis of the great speeches of legendary American politicians — namely, Trump’s inaugural address and John F. Kennedy’s “Moon Speech.”
By Ilya V. Ganpantsura2 years ago in History
Nails. Runner-Up in Love Letters Through Time Challenge.
March 3rd, 1923 Luretha Mae Harlem, N.Y. My Dear Friend, When everyone else in the house is asleep, I see you, my seraph in the paper, and I shackle you. Your six pierced palms become my sanctum, carpeting my conjunctiva, thus concealing your countenance. Your mouth molds to mine and your ischium chisels at my pelvis. And then, I am clean.
By Wen Xiaosheng2 years ago in History
They Came, I Cried
April 8th, 1857. Dear Martha, The bandits took our son today. I’m tracking them down. I’m going from town to town. We were just going to make a deposit at the bank when they came. They needed a hostage. I told them to take me, but John Jim Clancy volunteered instead. As smart as he is, he can make some pretty stupid decisions.
By Alex H Mittelman 2 years ago in History
The Lord Jagannath
**1. The Origin of Lord Jagannath** **The Legend of King Indradyumna** The story of Lord Jagannath begins with King Indradyumna, a pious and devoted ruler of the ancient kingdom of Malava. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and longed to witness the divine form of the Lord. One day, a wandering pilgrim told him about a sacred deity called **Nila Madhava** (a form of Lord Vishnu) worshipped in the forests of Odisha by the tribal chief, Viswavasu.
By Himansu Kumar Routray2 years ago in History
Yours In The Nick of Time. Content Warning.
The Maguire-McCarthy Letters (1931) Archival Reference No.: HSC-01931-022 Donated by: The O’Shea Family Estate, 1987 Curated by: The Boston Historical Society Introduction The following letters, exchanged in 1931 between Daniel “Danny” Maguire of Boston, Massachusetts, and Mary McCarthy of Chicago, Illinois, provide a rare glimpse into working-class Irish American life during the Great Depression. Preserved by the O’Shea family, these letters chronicle a long-distance courtship marked by humor, longing, and the realities of the era. Danny, a dockworker, and Mary, a switchboard operator, maintained their correspondence for several months. While it remains unclear whether Mary ultimately made the journey to Boston, the letters stand as a testament to the personal and cultural landscape of the time. The first known letter, dated January 10, 1931, begins below.
By L.K. Rolan2 years ago in History








