挪威人情人節的風俗英語版

A. 英文 西方傳統節日

西方傳統節日簡介

Easter（復活節）

Easter is a time of springtime festivals. In Christian countries Easter is celebrated as the religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God. But the celebrations of Easter have many customs and legends that are pagan in origin and have nothing to do with Christianity.

Traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored Easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts.
復活節是春季的節日。在信基督教的國家裡，復活節是為紀念基督耶穌的復活而舉行的宗教節日。但是復活節有許多習俗和傳說的由來都是非宗教的，它們與基督教沒有任何關系。與節日密切聯系的一些傳統有象復活節的野兔，它是作為繁殖生長的象徵；還有復活節的彩蛋。最先是被繪以鮮亮的顏色來代祥大沖表春天的陽仿頃光。這些彩蛋還可以用來玩滾彩蛋游戲比賽，謹殲或作為小禮物送人。

Thanksgiving（感恩節）

The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621, to commemorate the harvest reaped by the Plymouth Colony after a harsh winter. In that year Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving. The colonists celebrated it as a traditional English harvest feast, to which they invited the local Wampanoag Indians.
Days of thanksgiving were celebrated throughout the colonies after fall harvests. All thirteen colonies did not, however, celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time until October 1777. George Washington was the first president to declare the holiday, in 1789.

第一個美國人慶賀的感恩節在1621年，為了紀念普利茅斯殖民地的人民在經過一個歉收荒蕪的冬季後迎來豐收。在那一年，州長William Bradford宣布那天作為感恩節。殖民者把它當成傳統的英國豐收節日來慶賀，在當天，他們還邀請當地的印地安的萬泊諾亞格人。感恩的節日延續了整個秋季的收獲季節，但其他的十三個殖民地沒有慶賀這個節日，直到1777年10月。喬治-華盛頓在1789年宣布把它定為節日，他也是第一位宣布感恩節的總統。

Valentine's Day（情 人 節）

The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served ring the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him ring his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

情人節的歷史充滿了神秘，但是我們知道，很久以來，2月就是一個浪漫的月份了。情人節既留有基督教的痕跡，又有古羅馬的傳統。情人節又稱聖瓦倫丁節。關於情人節有好多傳說。其中之一是，3世紀的時候，古羅馬的皇帝Claudius二世認為獨身的男子比有妻子、家庭的男子更善於打仗，於是他宣布婚姻是非法的，這也斷絕了士兵的來源。牧師Valentine意識到這條法令的謬誤，就公開反對，並且秘密為青年人主持婚禮。Claudius二世知道後就把Valentine處死了。

Fathers' Day（父 親 節）

In the 1900s, Fathers』 Day was created when Sonora Louise Smart Dodd wanted to express her deep appreciation to her own father, William Smart, who was widowed when his wife died at giving birth. Mr. Smart raised his six children on a rural farm in eastern Washington State. When Ms. Dodd was grown she wanted to show her appreciation to her father. So, in 1909, she proposed a day to honor her father in June (the month of her father's birth).
The very first Fathers' Day followed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Washington. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge showed support of this becoming a national holiday. However, it wasn't until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson officially proclaimed Fathers' Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June.

二十世紀初，蘇娜·路易絲·史墨·多德想要向他的父親威廉·史墨表達敬意，於是產生了父親節。她父親在他妻子難產而死以後，就一直鰥居。史墨先生在東華盛頓州的農庄中獨力撫養大六個孩子。當多德女士長大成人後，她覺得要向父親致敬。於是，在1909年她提議在六月里一天向父親表達敬意。（她父親在六月生日）。第一個父親節在1910年6月19日在華盛頓，史布肯慶祝了。1924年，卡文·柯立芝總統表示支持，並將此確立為國家的節日。然而，直到1966年，林頓·約翰遜總統才正式宣布六月的第三個星期天為父親節，在全國正式地慶祝。

Mothers』 Day（母親節）

The earliest Mother』s Day celebrations can be traced back to the spring celebrations of ancient Greece in honor of Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. During the 1600's, England celebrated a day called "Mothering Sunday". Celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent. In the United States Mother』s Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe as a day dedicated to peace. By 1911 Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state.

While many countries of the world celebrate their own Mother』s Day at different times throughout the year, there are some countries such as Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium which also celebrate Mother』s Day on the second Sunday of May.

最早的母親節慶祝可以追溯到古希臘的春天慶典，紀念眾神之母尤希。在17世紀，英國在四旬齋的第四個星期天慶祝一個稱為「母親周日」的節日。在美國，母親節最早在1872年，由朱麗婭·沃得·郝提出，作為一個關注和平的節日。到1911年，幾乎所有的州都慶祝母親節。

雖然世界各國的母親節在不同的時間，很多國家，如丹麥，芬蘭，義大利，土耳其，澳大利亞和比利時都在五月的第二個星期天慶祝母親節。

（註：《聖經·新約》中一個魔鬼試探耶穌的故事。說的是魔鬼把耶穌困在曠野里，40天沒有給耶穌吃東西，耶穌雖然飢餓，卻沒有接受魔鬼的誘惑。後來，為了紀念耶穌在這40天中的荒野禁食，信徒們就把每年復活節前的40天時間作為自己齋戒及懺悔的日子，叫做大齋節或者四旬齋（Lent）。據說，古希臘和古羅馬的木神節、酒神節都是它的前身。這40天中，人們不能食肉，娛樂，生活肅穆沉悶，所以在齋期開始前的一周或半周內，人們會專門舉行宴會、舞會、縱情歡樂。後來，這樣的一個日子逐漸演變成為一個宗教習俗節日，拉丁語中叫做「Carnevale」，意思就是：「告別肉食」。Carnevale在英文中被譯作Carnival（嘉年華或狂歡節）。如今已沒有多少人堅守大齋期之類的清規戒律，但傳統的狂歡活動卻保留了下來，成為人們一個重要節日。）

Boxing Day（禮盒節）

In England a long time ago…

Servants were required to work on Christmas. They were responsible for making the holiday run smoothly for wealthy landowners. They were allowed to take leave on December 26th and visit their families. The employers gave each servant a box containing gifts and bonuses. In addition, around the 800s' churches opened their alms boxes (boxes where people place monetary donations) and distributed the contents to poor.
In England today…
Few people have servants but the custom of giving gifts or money to those who provide service continues. It is also popular to visit grandparents and shop (the after Christmas discounts begin). Many people get the day off from work. Boxing Day is also celebrated in places where the English have settled like Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Our friends in Scotland tell us it is also celebrate there! Some places observe Boxing Day on December 26th and some celebrate it on the first weekday following Christmas, so, if Christmas falls on Friday or Saturday Boxing Day would be on the following Monday.
Now, the actual origin of this holiday is debatable and has been debated, one idea being more popular than the other at a given time.

以前，由於傭人們必須在聖誕節工作，所以他們被允許在節後的第一天休假。僱主們日久成習，往往准備一些禮盒，在傭人們回家之前送給他們。到了今天，擁有僕人的家庭已經稀罕得很。不過給服務行業的人贈送禮物的習慣還在繼續。

Halloween（萬聖節前夜）

Halloween is an annual celebration. The word itself, "Halloween," actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. November 1, "All Hollows Day" (or "All Saints Day"), is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints One story says that, on that day, the disembodied spirits of all those who had died throughout the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. It was believed to be their only hope for the afterlife. The Celts believed all laws of space and time were suspended ring this time, allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living.

Naturally, the still-living did not want to be possessed. So on the night of October 31, villagers would extinguish the fires in their homes, to make them cold and undesirable. They would then dress up in all manner of ghoulish costumes and noisily paraded around the neighborhood, being as destructive as possible in order to frighten away spirits looking for bodies to possess.

So, although some cults may have adopted Halloween as their favorite "holiday," the day itself did not grow out of evil practices. It grew out of the rituals of Celts celebrating a new year, and out of Medieval prayer rituals of Europeans. And today, even many churches have Halloween parties or pumpkin carving events for the kids.

Halloween這個詞本身來源於天主教. 11月1日, "All Hollows Day" (or "All Saints Day"),稱為萬聖節, 是用於舉行儀式尊敬聖人的天主教日.其中有一種說法是, 在那一天, 那些先前死去的還在飄浮的靈魂會回來為來年的復生找一些活人來附體. 他們認為這是轉世的唯一希望. 教徒們深信這段時間內所有的時間及空間都是被懸浮的, 以便於讓靈魂世界與我們的生活空間相混合. 活著的人自然不想被附身，所以10月30日的晚上, 村民會熄滅家中的火焰, 把家裡弄得很冷,沒人想來. 他們還會穿上各類象鬼一樣的服裝上街大聲的**, 盡可能的搞些破壞來嚇走那些想找人附體的鬼魂。因此, 盡管部分信徒可能已接受萬聖節前夕為他們最喜愛的節日, 但這一天本身並不是來源於邪惡的慣例,而是由於凱爾特人慶祝新年和中世紀歐洲人的祈禱儀式. 今天, 甚至在很多教堂都會舉行萬聖節前夕晚會或讓孩子們雕刻南瓜燈籠，到各家敲門玩TRICK OR TREAT的游戲。

April Fool's Day（愚人節）

Unlike most of the other nonfoolish holidays, the history of April Fool's Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is not totally clear. There really wasn't a "first April Fool's Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring.
The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the New Year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian Calendar was introced, and New Year's Day was moved to January 1.
However, in the days when news traveled by foot, many people did not receive the news for several years. Others, the more obstinate crowd, refused to accept the new calendar and continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1. These backward folk were labeled as "fools" by the general populace. They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes.
1582年之前的法國，人們從3月25日開始慶祝新年，4月1日達到高潮。後來歷法改革，新年移到1月1日。然而在那個資訊很落後的年代，消息傳播是蝸牛速度。而且有些頑固人拒絕新的歷法，仍然在4月1日慶賀新年。其他的老百姓就把那些頑固的人稱為「傻瓜」，並且讓他們做些愚蠢的事情來取笑他們。

（以下補充的是美國的節日）

HOLIDAYS IN THE UNITED STATES

There are three types of holidays in the United States: political holidays, traditional holidays, and religious holidays. There are more political holidays than any other type. The most important political holiday is Independence Day, the fourth of July. On this day we celebrate our independence from Great Britain. Most people spend the day with their family and friends. Picnics and barbecues are very popular. In addition, almost every city and town has a fireworks display at night. Another very important political holiday is Memorial Day, which falls on the last weekend in May. On this holiday we commemorate all the soldiers who died for our country. Many towns and cities have parades, and some people go to cemeteries and put flowers or flags on the soldiers』 graves. A third important political holiday is Labor Day, which we celebrate on the first Monday in September. This is the day when we honor the workers of the United States. People watch parades, go on picnics, or go to the beach. For students, Labor Day is a bittersweet holiday, because when it is over they must begin school again. Besides these three political holidays, we also must begin school again. Besides these three political holidays, we also celebrate Presidents』 Day on the third Monday in February. On this day we commemorate the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

B. 各國情人節的風俗

中國：改革開放後，不少年輕男女也開始慶祝這個西方的節日，目前年輕人對該節日的重視程度已經可以與中秋節相比。一般是男生送女生禮物比較正式，女生也要有所表示。除此之外的重要活動內容是到比較浪漫的地點共進晚餐，互相通過網路或手機發送祝福也成為新的時尚，表述對異性的愛情和友誼的願望與承諾。香港：受到西方文化長期影響下，慶祝情人節已有多年歷史。男女會互贈禮物，男送女的標准禮物通常是鮮花、巧克力、首飾等，女送男的一般是手錶、領帶等男士服飾用品，並且常會到餐廳享用燭光晚餐。
澳門：在情人節日，男會送鮮花給女，女則會送給男巧克力。男女情侶都非常重視這天的節日。中國台灣：因受鄰近國家日本的影響，也慶祝這個節日，但與日本不同的是，在台灣卻是男生送女生禮物。另外，沒有交往對象的年輕男女也常選在這天向喜歡的人告白，情侶亦會特別在這天約會。
澳大利亞：澳大利亞是一個浪漫的國度，家鄉與海為鄰，天然海貝資源豐富，在情人節這一天，戀人們常把代表浪漫愛情的紫貝殼送給對方，以示對愛情的忠貞。在一些青春偶像劇中，我們也常可以看到男主角送天然紫貝殼給女主角，表示對對方的愛慕。英國：從17世紀開始，情人節變得普遍。
美國：男性在這一天向他的女性朋友說「情人節快樂」已經沒有特別的感情關系，而逐漸演變為有如公開場合的打招呼的形式。但男性較少在公開場合對另一位男性如此打招呼。
巴西：「Dia dos Namorados」
巴西人不象美國人那樣在二月十四日過情人節，他們的情人節在六月十二日，這天叫「Dia dos Namorados"，是向婚姻和媒人的保護神聖安東尼表示敬意的日子。單身的女性會做一些事情，比如在情人節前一天晚上，她們把喜歡的一些人的名字寫在紙上折好，情人節當天從中抽出，決定她們要嫁給誰；情侶或夫妻會交換小禮物，比如鮮花或巧克力。羅馬尼亞：Dragobete
羅馬尼亞人在每年的二月二十四日慶祝情人節，這一天這被稱為「Dragobete」（在他們的語言中，"drag"意思是「親愛的」）。他們在那天戴上好運符，與朋友或相愛的人互送鮮花。這天也被當作春天的第一天，也是小鳥開始配對築巢並且和配偶一起住下的日子。
瓜地馬拉：El Día del Cari?o
El Día del Cari?o,( 友愛日），跟美國的二月十四日情人節很像。當地人在當天互送鮮花、巧克力和賀卡，但他們的友愛日比美國的情人節含有更廣泛和更重要的意義，因為這天也是大家向朋友和同事表示友愛的日子。迦納：Valentine's Day（情人節/聖瓦倫丁節）
廣播和電視把二月十四日情人節商業化的版本直接王帶到了北非小國迦納。在這天，迦納人打開電台電視，熱切希望自己在抽獎活動中中獎，獎品小的有化妝品或廚具，大些的可能是南非浪漫之旅。
日本：Valentine's Day（情人節/聖瓦倫丁節）
日本女性在這天會送巧克力給她們的男友或男性朋友和同事。作為回報，男性會在之後有三月十四日回送她們巧克力、貼身衣物或者珠寶。博林格林州立大學從事民間文化研究的傑克山迪諾教授說，「聖瓦倫丁情人節在日本很流行」，高中學校會在這天舉行正式的舞會，那些擔心參加舞會沒有伴的人真的會急得滿頭大汗，「在這一天，一定要有個約會對象才行」。
挪威：Valentine's Day（聖瓦倫丁情人節）
在丹麥和挪威，慶祝聖瓦倫丁情人節的活動並不很普遍，只是一些情侶會一起共進浪漫晚餐、互送賀卡或玫瑰花。挪威人真正喜歡的，顯然是良好的環境：他們的國家正致力減少鮮花的進口，為的是能在2050年前成為世界上第一個「碳中和」（carbon-neutral）經濟機制的國家。伊朗：Valentine's Day（聖瓦倫丁情人節）
「 穆斯林文化並不喜歡愛神丘比特，但聖瓦倫丁情人節對那些較為西化和年青的人來說，還是很有吸引力的。」 美籍伊朗電影製版人莎哈耶·阿茲米如是說，在她製作的影片里就有不少浪漫的故事。如今，越來越多的商店會用填充動物玩偶、心形巧克力和紅氣球來裝飾櫥窗，青少年也會表露他們的愛意、他們與喜歡的人手拉手在德黑蘭的大街上漫步。
墨西哥：Valentine's Day（聖瓦倫丁情人節）
愛神丘比特在墨西歌絕對很受歡迎。據哥倫比亞大學的社會學教授珍尼弗·伊斯基說，「紅色浪潮」在聖誕節剛過就開始了。男女間互送鮮花、氣球很普遍，而且每種禮物都是紅色的或者是心形的。這些禮物往往寓意著愛和繁榮，尤其是移民勞工，他們通過款待他們的愛人來炫耀他們的成功。越南：Valentine's Day（聖瓦倫丁情人節）
華盛頓大學人類學教授哈尼特·菲尼說，聖瓦倫丁情人節在越南是個新興的節日，直到上世紀九十年代，越南還沒有賣賀卡的地方，也沒人提到過慶祝情人節這回事。她對世界各地的有關愛情和示愛文化習俗有所研究。但她最近一次到越南訪問時發現，在越南的一些主要街道上，出現有關情人節信息的廣告板，廣告上邀請人們去參加情人節慶祝的活動。當然，已婚人士通常不會參加，「因為在越南，浪漫被認為是發生在結婚之前的事情。」菲尼教授說。
新加坡：把情人節當作推動年輕人約會、結婚的好機會，自2002年起每年2月舉辦「浪漫新加坡」活動。今年內容包括電影馬拉松、通宵購物、尋寶以及在高165米的摩天觀景輪上約會等等。
印度：情侶們會在情人節這天前往位於北部城市阿格拉附近著名的泰姬陵拜謁，因為在當地人看來，泰姬陵就是對愛情忠貞不渝的最好見證。

C. 西方節日介紹（英文版）

世界各國主要節日中英文對照

第一部分、世界主要節日中英跡攔對照(按時間排序)
元旦(1月1日)-----NEW YEAR』S DAY
成人節(日本，1月15日)-----ADULTS DAY

情人節(2月14日)-----ST.VALENTINE』S DAY (VALENTINE』S DAY)
元宵節(陰歷1月15日)-----LANTERN FESTIVAL
狂歡節（巴西，二月中、下旬)-----CARNIVAL

桃花節(日本女孩節，3月3日)-----PEACH FLOWER FESTIVAL (DOLL』S FESTIVAL）
國際婦女節(3月8日)-----INTERNATIONAL WOMEN』S DAY
聖帕特里克節(愛爾蘭，3月17日)-----ST. PATRICK』S DAY
楓糖節(加拿大，3-4月)-----MAPLE SUGAR FESTIVAL
競學網編輯推薦：英美主要報刊雜志網站大全篇
愚人節(4月1日)-----FOOL』S DAY
復活節(春分月圓後第一個星期日)-----EASTER
宋干節(泰國新年4月13日)-----SONGKRAN FESTIVAL DAY
食品節(新加坡，4月17日)-----FOOD FESTIVAL

國際勞動節(5月1日)-----INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY
男孩節(日本，5月5日)-----BOY』S DAY
母親節(5月的第二個星期日)-----MOTHER』S DAY
把齋節-----BAMADAN
開齋節(4月或5月，回歷十月一日)-----LESSER BAIRAM
銀行休假日(英國, 5月31日)-----BANK HOLIDAY

國際兒童節簡高(6月1日)-----INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN』S DAY
父親節(6月的第三個星期日)-----FATHER』S DAY
端午節(陰歷5月5日)-----DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
仲夏節(北歐6月)-----MID-SUMMER DAY

古爾邦節(伊斯蘭節，7月下旬)-----CORBAN

筷子節(日本，8月4日)-----CHOPSTICS DAY
中秋節(陰歷8月15日)-----MOON FESTIVAL

教師節(中國，9月10日)-----TEACHER』S DAY
敬老節(日本，9月15日)-----OLD PEOPLE』S DAY

啤酒節(德國十月節，10月10日)-----OKTOBERFEST
南瓜節(北美10月31日)-----PUMPKIN DAY
鬼節(萬聖節除夕，10月31日夜)-----HALLOWEEN

萬聖節(11月1日)-----HALLOWMAS
感恩節(美國，11月最後一個星期4)-----THANKSGIVING

護士節(12月12日)-----NRUSE DAY
聖誕除夕(12月24日)-----CHRISTMAS EVE
聖誕節(12月25日)-----CHRISTMAS DAD
節禮日(12月26日)-----BOXING DAY
新年除夕(12月31日)-----NEW YEAR』S EVE(a bank holiday in many countries)
春攔州尺節(陰歷一月一日)-----SPRING FESTIVAL (CHINESE NEW YEAR)

第二部分、國際性節日
世界消費者權益日(3月15日)-----WORLD CONSUMER RIGHT DAY
世界水日(3月22日)-----WORLD WATER DAY

世界衛生日(4月7日)-----WORLD HEALTH DAY
世界地球日(4月22日)-----WORLD EARTH DAY
國際秘書節(4月25日)-----INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY DAY

國際紅十字日(5月8日)-----INTERNATIONAL RED-CROSS DAY
國際護士節(5月12日)-----INTERNATIONAL NURSE DAY
世界電信日(5月17日)-----WORLD TELECOMMUNICATIONS DAY
世界無煙日(5月31日)-----WORLD NO-SMOKING DAY

世界環境日(6月5日)-----WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
世界人口日(7月11日)-----WORLD POPULATION DAY
世界旅遊日(9月27日)-----WORLD TOURISM DAY

世界郵政日(10月9日)-----WORLD POST DAY
世界糧食日(10月16日)-----WORLD GRAIN DAY
世界住房日(十月第一個星期一)-----WORLD HOUSING DAY

世界愛滋病日(12月1日)-----WORLD AIDS DAY
世界殘疾日(12月3日)-----WORLD DISABLED DAY

第三部分、世界各國的國慶與獨立日
一 月

1日 古巴解放日----------Liberation Day (CUBA)
蘇丹獨立日----------Independence Day (SUDAN)
4日 緬甸獨立日----------Independence Day (MYANMAR)
18日 突尼西亞革命日------- Revolution Day (TUNIDIA)
26日 澳大利亞日----------Australia Day
印度共和國日--------Repubic Day (INDIA)
28日 盧安達民主日--------Democracy Day (RWANDA)

二 月

4日 斯里蘭卡國慶日-------National Day (SRILANKA)
5日 墨西哥憲法日---------Constitution Day (MEXICO)
6日 紐西蘭國慶日---------Waitangi Day (NEW ZEALAND)
7日 格瑞那達獨立日-------Independence Day (GRENADA)
11日 日本建國日-----------National Founding Day (JAPAN)
伊朗伊斯蘭革命勝利日-Anniversay of the Victory of
the Islamic Revolution (IRAN)
16日 美國華盛頓誕辰-------Washington』s Birthday (USA)
18日 甘比亞獨立日---------Independence Day (GAMBIA)
23日 汶萊國慶日-----------National Day (BRUNEI DARUSSALAM)
蓋亞那共和國日-------Republic Day (GUIYANA)
25日 科威特國慶日---------National Day (KUWAIT)

三 月

3日 摩洛哥登基日---------Enthronement Day (MOROCCO)
6日 迦納獨立日-----------Independence Day (CHANA)
12日 模里西斯獨立日-------Independence Day (MAURITHUS)
17日 愛爾蘭國慶日---------National Day (IRELAND)
23日 巴基斯坦日-----------Pakistan Day
25日 希臘國慶日-----------National Day (GREECE)
26日 孟加拉獨立及國慶日---Independence & National Day (BANGLADESH)
31日 馬爾他國慶日---------National Day (MALTA)

四 月

4日 匈牙利國慶日---------Liberation Day (HUNGARY)
塞內加爾獨立日-------Independence Day (SENEGAL)
11日 烏干達解放日---------Liberation Day (UGANDA)
16日 丹麥女王日-----------Birthday of Her majesty Queen MargretheⅡ (DENMARK)
17日 敘利亞國慶日---------National Day (SYRIA)
18日 辛巴威獨立日-------Independence Day (ZIMBABWE)
19日 委內瑞拉獨立節-------Independence Day (Venezuela)
26日 塞拉里昂共和國日-----Republic Day (SIFRRA LEONE)
坦尚尼亞聯合日-------Union Day (TANZANIA)
27日 多哥獨立日-----------Independence Day (TOGO)
29日 日本天皇誕辰---------Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor (JAPAN)
30日 荷蘭女王日-----------Queen』s Day (THE NETHERLANDS)

五 月

9日 捷克與斯洛伐克國慶日--National Day (CZECH & SLOYAKIA)
17日 挪威憲法日------------Constitution Day (NORWAY)
20日 喀麥隆國慶日----------National Day (CAMEROON)
25日 阿根廷5月革命紀念日---1810 Revolution Day (ARGENTINA)
約旦獨立日------------Independence Day (JORDAN)

六 月

1日 突尼西亞勝利日----------Victory Day (TUNISIA)
西薩摩亞獨立日--------Independence Day (WESTERN SAMOA)
2日 義大利共和國日--------Foundation of Republic (ITALY)
5日 丹麥憲法日------------Constitution Day (DEMARK)
塞席爾解放日----------Liberation Day (SEYCHELLES)
6日 瑞典國慶日------------National Day (SWEDEN)
7日 查德國慶日------------National Day (CHAD)
10日 葡萄牙國慶日----------National/Portugal Day (PORTUGAL)
12日 菲律賓獨立日----------Independence Day (THE PHILIPPINES)
14日 英國女王官方生日----- Official Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ (UK)
17日 冰島共和國日----------Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic
(ICELAND)
23日 盧森堡國慶日----------National Day (LUXEMBOURG)
24日 西班牙國王陛下日------His Majesty the King』s Day (SPAIN)
26日 馬達加斯加獨立日------Independence Day (MADAGASCAR)
27日 吉布地獨立日----------Independence Day (DJIBOUTI)

七 月

1日 蒲隆地國慶日----------National Day (BURUNDI)
加拿大日--------------Canada Day
盧望達獨立日----------Independence Day (RWANDA)
4日 美國獨立日------------Independence Day (USA)
5日 維德角獨立日----------Independence Day (CAPE VERDE)
委內瑞納獨立日--------Independence Day (VENEZUELA)
6日 葛摩獨立日----------Independence Day (COMOROS)
11日 蒙古人民革命紀念日----Anniversary of the People』s Revolution (MONGOLIA)
14日 法國國慶日------------National/Bastille Day (FRANCE)
17日 伊拉克國慶日----------National Day (IRAQ)
20日 哥倫比亞國慶日--------National Day (COLOMBIA)
21日 比利時國慶日----------National Day (BELGIUM)
22日 法蘭國家復興節--------Rebirth of Poland
23日 埃及國慶日------------National Day (EGYPT)
26日 利比利亞獨立日--------Independence Day (LIBERIA)
馬爾地夫獨立日--------Independence Day (MALDIVES)
28日 秘魯獨立日------------Independence Day (PERU)
30日 萬那杜獨立日--------Independence Day (VANUATU)

八 月

1日 瑞士聯邦成立日--------Foundation of the Confederation (SWITZERLAND)
4日 布吉納法索國慶日------National Day (BURKINA-FASO)
5日 牙買加獨立日----------Independence Day (JAMAICA)
6日 玻利維亞獨立日--------Independence Day (BOLIVIA)
10日 厄瓜多獨立日--------Independence Day (EQUADOR)
15日 剛國國慶日------------National Day (THE GONGO)
17日 加彭獨立日------------Independence Day (GABON)
19日 阿富汗獨立日----------Independence Day (AFCHANISTAN)
23日 羅馬尼亞國慶日--------National Day (ROMANIA)
31日 馬來西亞國慶日--------National Day (MALAYSIA)

九 月

1日 利比亞九月革命節------The Great 1st of September
Revolution (LIBYA)
2日 越南國慶日------------National Day (VIET NAM)
3日 聖馬利諾國慶日--------National Day (SAN MARINO)
7日 巴西獨立日------------Independence Day (BRAZIL)
9日 朝鮮共和國日----------Day of the Founding of DPPK
12日 維德角國慶日----------National Day (CAPE VERDE)
衣索比亞人民革命日--The people』s Revolution Day (ETHIOPIA)
16日 墨西哥獨立節----------Independence Day (Mexico)
18日 智利獨立日------------Independence Day (CHILE)
22日 馬里宣布獨立日--------Proclamation of Independence (MALI)
30日 波札那獨立日--------Independence Day (BOTSWANA)

十 月

1日 塞普勒斯國慶日--------National Day (CYPRUS)
奈及利亞國慶日--------National Day (NIGERIA)
2日 幾內亞宣布獨立日------Prodclamation of the Republic (GUINEA)
9日 烏干達獨立日----------Independence Day (UGANDA)
10日 斐濟國慶日------------National Day (FIJI)
12日 西班牙國慶日----------National Day (SPAIN)
赤道幾內牙國慶節------National Day (Equatorial Guinea)
21日 索馬里十月革命節------21st October Revolution (SOMALIA)
24日 聯合國日--------------UN Day
贊比來獨立日----------Independence Day (ZAMBIA)
26日 奧地利國慶日----------National Day (AUSTRIA)
28日 希臘國慶節------------National Day (Greece)
29日 土耳其共和國日--------Prodclamation of the Republic
(TURKEY)

十一月

1日 阿爾及里亞11月革命節--The Revolution Day(ALGERIA)
11日 安哥拉獨立節----------Independence Day (Angola)
15日 比利時國王日----------King』s Day (BELGIUM)
18日 阿曼國慶日------------National Day (OMAN)
19日 摩納哥國慶節----------National Day (Monaco)
22日 黎巴嫩獨立日----------Independence Day (LEBANON)
24日 扎伊爾第二共和國日----Anniversary of the Second Republic(ZAIRE)
28日 茅利塔尼亞獨立日------Independence Day (MARITANIA)
29日 南斯拉夫共和國日------Republic Day (YUGOSLAVIA)

十二月

1日 中非國慶日------------National Day (CENTRAL AFRICA)
2日 寮國國慶日------------National Day (LAOS)
阿拉伯酋長國國慶日----National Day (UAE)
5日 泰國國王日------------Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty
King Adolyadej (THAILAND)
6日 芬蘭獨立日------------Independence Day (FINLAND)
7日 象牙海岸國慶日--------National Day (IVORY COAST)
12日 肯亞獨立日----------Independence Day (KENYA)
17日 不丹國慶節------------National Day (Bhutan)
18日 尼日國慶日----------National Day (NIGER)
28日 尼泊爾國王生日--------Birthday of H.M. King Birendara (NEPAL)

D. 英語學習資料：西方情人節的傳說與6個風俗

那麼，這位「聖·瓦倫坦」究竟有著什麼故事呢？

In ancient Rome, the Emperor Claudius II found it hard to get soldiers and felt the reason was men did not wish to leave their wives and families. As a result Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome.

A romantic at heart priest, Valentine, defied Claudius's unjustified order. He secretly married couples. When his defiance was discovered, Valentine was imprisoned.

During Saint Valentine』s imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. After that, he fell in love with her. Before his death Valentine wrote a farewell letter to his sweetheart from the jail and signed 『From your Valentine'. The expression became quite popular amongst love struck and is still very much in vogue.

Finally, Valentine was killed on February 14, about 270 AD. That』s the day, the Saint Valentine』s Day.

不畏強權，為愛堅守，這是St. Valentine給人最深刻的印象。這也就是為什麼後世的人為了紀念他、表達對愛情的珍重而將他死去的2月14日定為「Saint Valentine』s Day」的原因了。歷經了從古羅馬到21世紀的漫長演變，實際上情人節要慶讓畢祝的「愛」也變得更廣義了。愛，從來不應該被束縛在簡單的愛情中。

愛，對愛人的情愛，對森滑敗家人的親愛，對摯友的友愛。西方的人們真正在慶祝的，是對身邊之人的博愛。那麼，老外們究竟在情人節這天有什麼慶祝的風俗和習慣呢？

1. Looking for Dates

One of the most popular customs of Valentine's Day observed worldwide is to go on a date with your sweetheart. Those without a date start looking for one days before the festival.

2. Wishing 『Happy Valentine's Day' to all We Love

People take opportunity of the day to wish 『Happy Valentine's Day' to anyone they love be it father, mother, teachers, siblings, friends, co-workers or just anyone special to them. The idea behind this tradition is to celebrate love, get love and give love to everyone around us.

3. Valentine's Day Custom of Exchanging Notes

One of the most monly observed Valentine's Day customs is the exchange of notes and greeting cards called 『Valentines'. Most monly used pictures in Valentine's Greetings include red roses, hearts and Cupid - the god of love.

4. Valentine's Day Tradition of Exchanging Gifts

Some of the most popular gifts exchanged between lovers on Valentine's Day are fresh flowers - mainly roses, chocolates and teddy bears. Fine jewelry is increasingly being a popular St Valentine's Day gift for women. Candies are also gifted to dear ones including grandparents, parents, siblings, teachers and friends. This is because Valentine's Day is increasingly being regarded as the festival that celebrates love between two indivials and not just lovers.

5. An Occasion to Dine and Wine

The other most traditional way to celebrate Valentine's Day is to go for romantic candlelight dinners with one's Valentine. Many also choose to propose their dates in such a romantic setting and say the golden words, 『I love you'. Many people also organize Valentine's Day Couple's parties in their homes where lovers have a blast in the pany of friends. Those without a partner organize Valentine's Day Single's Party and have a good time dancing and playing games with other friends who are single.

6. Valentine's Day Celebrations in Schools

In several countries including United States and Canada there is a tradition to organize Valentine's Day classroom parties in schools. In such parties children exchange chocolates and Valentine's Day cards with their friends. Senior school children usually organize Valentine's Day dance parties and have fun with friends.

看過老外過情人節的6個風俗習慣，你是不是發現慶祝情人節的方式更多樣了？兩個有情人可以不單獨約會，而是與有對象的親朋好友一起聚會；一個人單身的話也不用感到寂寞，因為可以組織單身派對；在情人節可以表達的愛的對象不僅僅是愛人，更可以是自己身邊所有愛的人。

E. 國外有哪些有趣的婚禮習俗西方各國情人節的文化風俗有哪些

一、國外有哪些有趣的婚禮習俗？

1.法國：白色婚姻

白色在法國意味著爛漫，都是婚禮的主色，不論是布局使用的花束，或是新娘子服裝等等都是白色的，不難看出法國人眼中的婚姻該是像白色那般纖塵不染的。在婚禮上，新娘子必會提前准備有希望之匣之稱的木櫃做為陪嫁，新人使用的水杯也是有特殊的含義，名叫婚禮之杯。

2.德國：熱情與瘋狂

在婚禮風俗習慣層面德國人一改以往的理智，大量展現出瘋狂一面。德國人們在婚禮對中，會捉弄新人，這這個有些像中國的鬧新房。到婚禮舉辦那一天，新人會坐到由黑馬拉的牛車趕到主教堂。在婚禮舉行的地區，得用紅飄帶和鮮花花環封死出入口，新郎官就需要用金錢或同意舉辦狂歡派對作陰謀方可以通過出入口。也有，在喜宴中，以碎扁桃仁製成的糖塊及其沾有香料的酒是接待客人的主要食品類。

5、印度：

印度的情侶們會到情人節這一天前去著名的泰姬陵拜謁，在本地人來看，泰姬陵便是對愛情堅貞不渝的最好見證了。

6、新加坡：

新加坡能把情人節做為促進年青人幽會、完婚的好機會，自2002年起每一年2月便會舉行「爛漫新加坡」主題活動。一般的基本內容影片、買東西、探寶、摩天觀景平台輪上幽會這些。

F. 誰知道Valentine's Day（情人節）是怎麼來的

版本一：Valentine'sday是情人節在英語里的叫法。從字面上來看，很難看出中西方叫法之間有什麼聯系。這裡面隱藏著一個動人的故事。

大約在公元三世紀的羅馬，那時愷撒已經死去快三百年了，暴君Claudius當政。當時，羅馬內外戰爭頻仍，民不聊生。為了補足兵員，將戰爭進行到底，Claudius下令，凡是一定年齡范圍內的男子，都必須進入羅馬軍隊，以生命為國家效勞。自此，丈夫離開妻子，少年離開戀人。於是整個羅馬便被籠罩在綿長的相思中。對此，暴君大為惱火。為了達到自己的目的，他竟然下令禁止國人舉行結婚典禮，甚至要求已經結婚的毀掉婚約。

然而，暴政禁止不了愛情。就在暴君的國都里，居住著一位德高望重的修士，他就是Valentine,我們的主人公。他不忍看到一對對伴侶就這樣生離死別，於是為前來請求幫助的情侶秘密地主持上帝的結婚典禮。一時間，這一令人振奮的消息在整個國度傳開，更多的情侶秘密地趕來請求修士的幫助。

但是，事情很快還是被暴君知曉了，於是他再一次顯示了殘暴面目——將修士打進大牢，最終折磨致死。修士死的那一天是2月14日，公元270年的2月14日。

人們為了紀念這個敢於與暴君斗爭的人，漸漸地使得2月14日成為一個節日。很多世紀過去了，人們再也記不得Claudius的大名，再也記不得他的權杖與寶劍，但依然會紀念Valentine修士，因為那個日子是Valentine'sday,是情人節。

版本二：在古羅馬時期，二月十四日是為表示對約娜的尊敬而設的節日。約娜是羅馬眾神的皇後，羅馬人同時將她尊奉為婦女和婚姻之神。接下來的二月十五日則被「盧帕撒拉節」，是用來對約娜治下的其他眾神表示尊敬的節日。

在古羅馬，年輕人和少女的生活是被嚴格分開的。然而，在盧帕撒拉節，小夥子們可以選擇一個自己心愛的姑娘的名字刻在花瓶上。這樣，過節的時候，小夥子就可以與自己選擇的姑娘一起跳舞，慶祝節日。如果被選中的姑娘也對小夥子有意的話，他們便可一直配對，而且最終他們會墜入愛河並一起步入教堂結婚。後人為此而將每年的二月十四日定為情人節。

版本三：一本英語辭典上注釋說，范泰倫節（情人節）二月十四日，來源於古羅馬的牧神節。據說鳥類在這一天開始交配。那時的風俗是：在牧神節期間，每個青年男子從一隻盒子里抽簽，盒子里放的是寫有青年女子姓名的條子。抽到誰，誰就成為那個青年男子的心上人。後來這個節日改為紀念一位叫瓦倫丁的基督教聖徒。

古羅馬青年基督教傳教士聖瓦倫丁，冒險傳播基督教義，被捕入獄，感動了老獄吏和他雙目失明的女兒，得到了他們悉心照料。臨刑前聖瓦倫丁給姑娘寫了封信，表明了對姑娘的深情。在他被處死的當天，盲女在他墓前種了一棵開紅花的杏樹，以寄託自己的情思。這一天就是2月14日。現在，在情人節里，許多小夥子還把求愛的聖瓦倫丁的明信片做成精美的工藝品，剪成蝴蝶和鮮花，以表示心誠志堅。姑娘們晚上將月桂樹葉放在枕頭上，希望夢見自己的情人。通常在情人節中，以贈送一枝紅玫瑰來表達情人之間的感情。將一枝半開的紅玫瑰作為情人節送給女孩的最佳禮物，而姑娘則以一盒心形巧克力作為回贈的禮物。

據說，巧克力成份之一苯基胺能引起人體內荷爾蒙的變化，跟熱戀中的感覺相似。

G. 情人節的來歷(要中英文結合的)

情人節，又叫聖瓦倫丁節或聖華倫泰節（St. Valentine's Day），即每年的2月14日，是西方的傳統節日之一。男女在這一天互送巧克力、賀卡和花，用以表達愛意或友好。

關於情人節的起源，大致有2種不同說法：

說法一：

公元3世紀，羅馬帝國皇帝克勞迪烏斯二世在首都羅馬宣布廢棄所有的婚姻承諾，當時是出於戰爭的考慮，使更多無所牽掛的男人可以走上爭戰的疆場。一名叫瓦侖廷（Sanctus Valentinus）的神父沒有遵照這個旨意而繼續為相愛的年輕人舉行教堂婚禮。事情被告發後，瓦侖廷神父先是被鞭打，然後被石頭擲打，最後在公元270年2月14日這天被送上了絞架被絞死。14世紀以後，人們就開始紀念這個日子。現在，中文譯為「情人節」的這個日子，在西方國家裡就被稱為Valentine's Day，用以紀念那位為情人做主而犧牲的神父。

與此相關的其他傳說，包括這位神父幫助天主教徒從羅馬監獄里逃脫而被處死。

在這個神父在監獄里時，據說他送出了第一個「情人節」祝福。據說他愛上了曾來監獄看望他，獄長失明的女兒亞斯得莉斯，並奇跡地治好了她的眼睛，使之重見光明。在他臨刑前，給女孩一封信，署名「from your Valentine」（這個表達現在還在使用）。盡管這些傳說不真切，但是卻表達了他的富有同情心、英雄氣概、以及最重要的浪漫主義的人格。

說法二：

來源於古羅馬的牧神節（Lupercalia Festival）

這個說法是基督教會慶祝這一天是為了把古羅馬的牧神節（每年的2月15日慶祝，為了保佑人、田、牲畜的生產力）基督教化。在古羅馬，2月春天的開始，被認為是純潔的。按照一定的儀式打掃房屋，然後把鹽水和一種小麥灑遍房間。

牧神節，是為了慶祝羅馬的農神Faunus 和羅馬的奠基人Romulus和Remus。這個節日開始時，Luperci的成員（也就是羅馬祭司的一種）會聚集在一個神聖的山洞裡。這個山洞被認為是還是嬰兒的Romulus和Remus待過的地方。在這個洞里，他們由一頭母狼，lupa，照料。祭司們會犧牲一頭羊，為了生殖；一隻狗，為了純潔。

然後男孩子會把羊的皮撕成小條，蘸上神聖的血後，跑到街上用它輕輕的抽打女人和田裡的莊稼。羅馬的女人不僅不會害怕，反而會樂意被羊皮條接觸，因為據說這樣她們在這一年裡就會生殖力旺盛。後來，根據傳說，這個城市所有的女人會把自己的名字放到一個花瓶里。單身漢們會從裡面選一個。這樣這一年裡，他們就是一對。通常他們會結婚。

教皇在大約公元498年宣布2月14日是情人節。羅馬人的這種婚配方式被基督教徒認為是不合法的。中世紀時，在英國和法國，通常認為2月14日是鳥交配的季節。因此就把此日增加了一個內容，那就是它應該是一個浪漫的日子。最早的情人節禮物是奧爾良的公爵，查理斯在倫敦塔獄中寫給他妻子的詩。因為他在Agincourt戰役中被俘虜了。現在這個寫於1415年的祝福被收藏在倫敦的大英博物館。幾年以後，英皇亨利五世雇John Lydgate寫了一首曲子給Catherine of Valois作為情人節禮物。
Saint Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day is on February 14. It is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's cards or candy. It is very common to present flowers on Valentine's Day. The holiday is named after two men, both Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-proced greeting cards. The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.[1]

In the United States, the marketing of Valentine's Day has tagged it as a "Hallmark holiday." A recent trend has been to refer to February 14 as Singles Awareness Day.
At least three early Christian Roman martyrs named Valentinus are known (see Saint Valentine for more details). In the two most prominent Valentinus traditions, represented by late fictionalized acta that were both included in Bede, the martyrs were venerated on the same day, February 14, though the years, as they represent two traditions, varied according to the source.[2] An overview of attested traditions relevant to the holiday is presented below, with the legends about Valentine himself discussed in the end.

[edit] February fertility festivals
It has been hypothesised [specify][citation needed] that Graeco-Roman holidays devoted to fertility and love might be related to St Valentine's Day, since there is some correspondence between the time when they were celebrated.

On the ancient Athenian calendar, the period between mid-January and mid-February was the month of Gamelion, dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera.

In Ancient Rome, February 15 was Lupercalia. Plutarch wrote:

Lupercalia, of which many write that it was anciently celebrated by shepherds, and has also some connection with the Arcadian Lycaea. At this time many of the noble youths and of the magistrates run up and down through the city naked, for sport and laughter striking those they meet with shaggy thongs. And many women of rank also purposely get in their way, and like children at school present their hands to be struck, believing that the pregnant will thus be helped in delivery, and the barren to pregnancy.[5]

The word Lupercalia comes from lupus, or wolf, so the holiday may be connected with the legendary wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus. Priests of this cult, luperci would travel to the lupercal, the cave where the she-wolf who reared Romulus and Remus allegedly lived, and sacrifice animals (two goats and a dog). The blood would then be scattered in the streets, to bring fertility and keep the wolves away from the fields. [6] Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning "Juno the purifier "or "the chaste Juno," was celebrated on February 13-14. Pope Gelasius I (492-496) abolished Lupercalia. Some historians [specify][citation needed] argue that Candlemas (then held on February 14, later moved to February 2) was promoted as its replacement, but this feast was already being celebrated in Jerusalem by AD 381. The pope also declared in 496 that the feast of St. Valentine would be on February 14.

[edit] Chaucer's love birds

A portrait of English poet Geoffrey Chaucer by Thomas Hoccleve (1412). The earliest known link between Valentine's Day and romance is found in Chaucer's poetry.The first recorded association of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer:[3]

For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese [choose] his make [mate].
This poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia[7]. A treaty providing for a marriage was signed on May 2, 1381.[8] (When they were married eight months later, he was 13 or 14. She was 14.)

On the liturgical calendar, May 2 is the saints' day for Valentine of Genoa. This St. Valentine was an early bishop of Genoa who died around AD 307.[9][10] Readers incorrectly assumed that Chaucer was referring to February 14 as Valentine's Day. However, mid-February is an unlikely time for birds to be mating in England.[4]

Chaucer's Parliament of Foules is generally set in a supposed context of an old tradition, but in fact there was no such tradition before Chaucer. The speculative explanation of sentimental customs, posing as historical fact, had their origins among eighteenth-century antiquaries, notably Alban Butler, the author of Butler's Lives of Saints, and have been perpetuated even by respectable modern scholars. Most notably, "the idea that Valentin'e Day customed perpetuated those of the Roman Lupercalia has been accepted uncritically and repeated, in various forms, up to the present"[5]

[edit] Medieval and modern times

Swedish calendar showing St Valentine's Day, February 14, 1712Using the language of the law courts for the rituals of courtly love, a "High Court of Love" was established in Paris on Valentine's Day in 1400. The court dealt with love contracts, betrayals, and violence against women. Judges were selected by women on the basis of a poetry reading.[11][12]

The earliest surviving valentine is a fifteenth-century rondeau written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his "valentined" wife, which commences.

Je suis desja d'amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée… (Charles d'Orléans, Rondeau VI, lines 1–2)

At the time, the ke was being held in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt, 1415.[6]

Valentine's Day is mentioned ruefully by Ophelia in Hamlet (1600-01): "Tomorrow is Saint Valentine's Day."

In 1836, relics of St. Valentine of Rome were donated by Pope Gregory XVI to the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland. In the 1960s, the church was renovated and relics restored to prominence.[13]

In the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feastday of Saint Valentine on 14 February was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on 14 February."[7] The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan and in Malta where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Vatican II calendar.

Valentine's Day postcard, circa 1910
Tree decorated for Valentine's DayValentine's Day was probably imported into North America in the 19th century by British settlers. In the United States, the first mass-proced valentines of embossed paper lace were proced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828-1904) of Worcester, Massachusetts. Her father operated a large book and stationery store, and she took her inspiration from an English valentine she had received. Since 2001, the Greeting Card Association has been giving an annual "Esther Howland Award for a Greeting Card Visionary."

In the second half of the twentieth century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts in the United States, usually from a man to a woman. Such gifts typically include roses and chocolates. In the 1980s, the diamond instry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion for giving jewelry.

The day has come to be associated with a generic platonic greeting of "Happy Valentine's Day."

In some North American elementary schools, students are asked to give a Valentine card or small gift to everyone in the class. The greeting cards of these students often mention what they appreciate about each other.

[edit] The evolving legend
The Early Medieval acta of either Saint Valentine were excerpted by Bede and briefly expounded in Legenda Aurea,[8] According to that version, St Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his jailer.

Legenda Aurea still providing no connections whatsoever with sentimental love, appropriate lore has been embroidered in modern times to portray Valentine as a priest who refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. The priest Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail. On the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he wrote the first "valentine" himself, addressed to a young girl variously identified as his beloved,[9] as the jailer's daughter whom he had befriended and healed,[10] or both.[11] It was a note that read "From your Valentine."[9]

In another apparently modern embellishment[citation needed], while Valentine was imprisoned, people would leave him little notes, folded up and hidden in cracks in the rocks around his cell. He would find them and offer prayers for them.

H. 情人節的習俗英語

On valentine's day, a boy will usually give a bunch of red roses to the girl he likes, while the girl will also give a chocolate to the boy he likes.
意思是：在情人節，男生往往會昌脊送給自己心儀的女生一束紅色的玫瑰花，而女耐悉滲生也會送給有好感陸兆的男生一份巧克力。
純原創，放心使用。