Published 12:54 IST, February 14th 2020
Valentine’s Day 2020: Is today a public holiday? Read to know details
Valentine’s Day is celebrated across the world on Feb 14 every year. But is today a public holiday? Clear your doubts about this. Read to know more details.
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Valentine’s Day is an internationally recognised day dedicated to love. The day is also known as Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine. It falls on February 14 every year across the world.
Millions of people around the world celebrate the day with their loved ones. Many cultures recognise this day as a celebration of the romantic love shared with their better halves. Even with the numerous stories attached to this day, people never fail to bring in gifts, chocolate or arrange a special outing with their better half. Most people are waiting to know if there is a public holiday on Valentine's Day. Read on to know more details about it.
Is Valentine’s Day a holiday?
Even with all the hype that surrounds Valentine’s Day, it is not a public holiday. All schools, banks, colleges, and offices work in a full-fledged mode on this day. However, many people opt to take a day off to be there with their partners to celebrate the day. All public transportation and other services will be working on Valentine’s Day. Further, all public and private banks will be working normally on Valentine's Day.
History of Valentine’s Day
There are many stories behind the real reason as to why Valentine’s Day originated. Some believe that the day is marked after a priest who was beheaded by Emperor Claudius II Gothicus on this day. The priest is believed to have signed a letter addressed to his jailor’s daughter as “from your Valentine”.
Another folklore tells that another Saint with the same name had defied the emperor’s orders. He helped many couples to elope to spare them from war. This is also one of the reasons that the day is used to mark love between partners.
Many people nowadays have criticised Valentine's Day for its commercialisation. Many stay away from celebrations even when the streets turn red with all the cheesy, romantic gifts that hang outside every shop days before Valentine’s Day. According to many people across the globe, Valentine’s Day has lost its real meaning.
12:54 IST, February 14th 2020