Skip to main content
Library Closings: Sunday, May 29 and Monday, May 30
 logo
  • Events
  • Locations
  • Contact Us
Give

Social Media Menu

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Library Policies© 2022 Richland Library, Richland County, South Carolina
 logo
  • Events
  • Locations
  • Contact Us
Forgot your card number?
Forgot your PIN?
  • Reset your password

Get A Library Card

  • Print Documents
  • Reserve a Room
  • Social Work
  • Career Services
  • Community Resources
  • Library of Things
  • View All Services
  • Browse free online tools for researching and learning.
  • Most Popular
  • Articles, Journals & Resources
  • Auto Repair & DIY
  • Books & Literature
  • Business & Careers
  • Children
  • En Español
  • View All Research Categories
  • Browse Staff Picks
  • Get a Recommendation
  • Read Our Blog
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Our Team
  • Locations
  • Our Work
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
  • Library Policies
  • Friends and Foundation
  • Contact Us

Breadcrumb

  • Home  
  • Blog  
  • Valentine's Day in North America
BLOG

Valentine's Day in North America

  • Zsuzsanna C.
  • Friday, January 21
Share:
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn

Canada

In Canada, February 14 falls in the winter season meaning that there is a lot of snow. One popular activity on this day is to sleep under the “Yukon Northern Light”. It is far north in Canada away from the light pollution of the big cities. You can see the snowy forest and feel the cold clear air. Even with a fire going, you can watch the magical green light dancing in the sky. Another activity is to travel to Banff National Park. The lakes freeze around December and you can ski and skate in the winter wonderland. At the end of January, the “Ice Magic Festival” starts and they display ice sculptures. For those who want to celebrate in a more urban setting, Toronto is a popular spot. It is an ethnically diverse city near Niagara Falls. Most couples celebrate Valentine's Day with a romantic dinner at a restaurant or special dinner at home after some sort of travel or activity.

Mexico

In Mexico, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14. They call it “El Dia del Amor y la Amistad”. Mexican culture is unique in that Valentine’s Day includes not just romantic partners but also family and friends. People typically send a message, flowers or chocolates. Sometimes they even celebrate by inviting friends to dinner. One of the more popular gifts are balloons, in particular red or pink, with a message on them. Roses are also popular, but they must be bought before midnight. People are not afraid to show affection to each other on the street and many times can be seen doing so on Valentine’s Day.

United States of America

Americans started celebrating it in the 19th century, but cards were already popular in the late 18th century. The celebration we know today started in the 20th Century. Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days for marriage proposals, however, it is celebrated by friends and children as well.

In schools, children give each other cards and sweets. One of the more popular candies are the conversation hearts that say things like “xoxo” and “sweet pea” and the bag of candy was often sorted through for the desired label to be presented to recipients. Sadly, as of 2018 they are no longer made. Adults celebrate with their significant others with romantic dinners and gifts. Over the years, Valentine’s Day has become more material oriented, which can put a strain on relationships.

There are many towns that do something special to celebrate Valentine’s Day. One of them is Valentines, Virginia. William H. Valentine began stamping the mail with a heart-shaped, hand-canceled postmark from 1877. This is a small town, but hundreds of visitors come to the town because of the namesake and the stamp. Some people send pre-addressed mail to the store in hopes that the letter will be postmarked in Valentines. Today the town has 25,000 mail pieces to stamp.

There is a town named Valentine in Nebraska. Now it is the “Heart City” where they decorate sidewalks with painted hearts the street signs are candy-red. Some restaurants sell heart-shaped steaks. They do a teddy bear decorating contest and Valentine’s Day Coronation at the local high school. They stamp about 50,000 letters per year from all over the world, including China, Africa and Australia.

Texas’s Valentine town has a Prada storefront sculpture in the desert. This will eventually melt back into the Earth. Right now, it is being used as an Instagram backdrop. They also do stamping. Local children compete every year for the new design and the city council decides the winner.

 

 

 

 

The Love Bug.

The Love Bug.

Published in 2003
2 videodiscs (108 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.
Find
DVD
 
Love Stories of World War II

Love Stories of World War II

Published in 2001
xiii, 328 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
Find
Book
 
Love Poems

Love Poems

Giovanni, Nikki.
Published in 1997
96 pages ; 19 cm
Find
Book
 
The Wedding Date

The Wedding Date

Guillory, Jasmine, author.
Published in 2018
viii, 310 pages ; 21 cm
Hold
Book
 
The Wedding Date Bargain

The Wedding Date Bargain

Kelly, Mira Lyn, author.
Published in 2017
314 pages ; 18 cm
Find
Book
 
Love Stories

Love Stories

Reiff, Tana.
Published in 1993
48 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm.
Find
Book
 
Love Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare.

Love Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare.

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
Published in 1991
154 pages ; 25 cm
Find
Book
 
The Gap of Time

The Gap of Time

Winterson, Jeanette, 1959-
Published in 2015
273 pages ; 22 cm.
Hold
Book
 
Author

Zsuzsanna C.

Associate

Tags
Education
Geography
Holidays
Audience
Adults
Parents
Seniors
Families
Teens (12-18 years)
 1729

Related Blog Posts

Image
Little boy enjoys outdoor storytime at Richland Library
Blog
Read. Sing. Talk. Play. Draw. Every Day!
Image
Blog
 1
Finding the Right Book for Your Child
Image
Columbia 1972
Blog
 1
Happy 50th to 1972!

Footer Menu

  • About
  • Work With Us
  • Blog
Library Policies© 2022 Richland Library, Richland County, South Carolina
Give

Social Media Menu

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn