2/14/2012:
Today is Valentine’s Day for which the origin dates back to the Roman celebration of Lupercalia in honor of the Greek god, Pan. The names of the virgin daughters of Rome were placed in a box. The young men of Rome would then each draw a name and present this girl with a gift. He would then serve as her escort for the celebration, which, by custom, occurred on February 15th.
As Christianity emerged, Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome, envious of the popularity of Valentine, the Bishop of Rome, had him beheaded on February 14, 206 A.D. Upon his canonization, this date was declared St. Valentine’s Feast Day and hearts or valentines were chosen to honor him for his love and charity. Although the festival of Lupercalia became obscured by St. Valentine’s Day, cards with names were still exchanged between the young men and women.
In North Dakota, what better location could one imagine for a Valentine’s Day gathering than where the Heart River winds through the Heart River Valley? In 1909, Mrs. Victor Hugo Stickney of Dickinson planned not only one but two Valentine luncheonettes. Approximately thirty-two ladies from the area gathered at the Stickney home and enjoyed a social dominated by hearts. Red and white hearts adorned the walls and furniture, with like-colored ribbons completing the decorations.
There was also entertainment. A game of progressive hearts was played, with heart-shaped tally cards. And a large red heart with a heart-shaped center of white was the target of another activity, inspired by a popular children’s game. Each guest was given a small white heart and a pin. Blindfolded, they pinned this heart as close as possible to the center of the large heart. The winner received, what else, but a heart-shaped box filled with red and white candies.
The luncheon was served on a table of white, adorned with tiny red hearts and ribbons with Valentines serving as seating cards. The guests were served heart-shaped sandwiches, salads garnished with red hearts, and heart-shaped cake for desert. The second Valentine’s party, similar in every detail and also hosted by Mrs. Stickney, took place two days later, occurring on a Monday. For you see in North Dakota, in 1909, they weren’t allowed to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day with parties because it came on a Sunday. It might also be noted that the feast of Lupercalia had indeed changed significantly – for the parties at Dickinson were void of men.
Dakota Datebook written by Jim Davis
Sources:
The Dickinson Press February 20, 1909
The Golden Valley Chronicle February 14, 1907