This week's theme: Be Mine

Tuesday is Valentine's Day. Have you ever wondered how it got started?

St. Valentine was a roman who was martyred on February 14, 269 A.D - a day set aside for love lotteries. Another legend states that there was a ban on Roman soldiers marrying and St. Valentine helped to secretly arrange marriages. The most common legend says that while he was imprisoned, he became friends with the jailer's daughter. Before he was martyred, St. Valentine left her a farewell note that he signed "From Your Valentine".

The association of Valentine's Day with romantic love began in the middle ages. In England and France, the 14th of February was traditionally considered the day that birds paired off to mate. It became common for lovers to send love notes and call each other "valentines". Over the centuries, Valentine's Day has grown into what it is today. While it is still very much a day for romance, it is also a day that we recognize all those in our lives for whom we feel love and affection.

In honor of Valentine's Day, EBSQ's Art Of The Day presents some selections from our holiday gallery. Please feel free to browse the work in our Valentine's Day Gallery - and remember, all the pieces can be shared as e-cards with those special people.

-Melissa Morton