THE ’BIRD THE VIDETTE PRESENTS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016 Vol. 128 / No. 39
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ISU STUDENTS SEND LOVE TO FLINT, MICH.
Love birds are flying Be sure to spend time with loved ones this Valentine’s Day weekend
NEWS 3
HAVE A FIVE-STAR VALENTINE’S DAY FEATURES 7
GET READY FOR A BASKETBALL-FILLED WEEKEND SPORTS 8
Celebrating the ‘Hallmark Holiday’ around the world KYRA VANDIVIER News Reporter The idea that Valentine’s Day is just a ‘commercial holiday invented by Hallmark’ is thrown around in the U.S. more often than not, but the holiday has been celebrated around the world for generations. Many parts of Asia and Europe boast traditions from as far back as the 14th century, when it was a popular belief in Great Britain and France that birds begin to mate on Feb. 14, resulting in the mid-February celebration. The holiday previously focused on singles with traditions about pairing up individuals. In France, ‘une loterie d’amour’ was a practice that involved single men and women entering houses on opposite sides of the street. They would take turns calling out names until everyone was paired off. Unmarried women in Britain believed that the first man they saw the morning of Valentine’s Day or someone who looks like him was the man they were going to marry within the year. Women would wake up and stand by their window, waiting for men to pass. Even today, Estonian singles have an opportunity to ride a special ‘love bus’ on Valentine’s Day in search of a date. Nowadays, traditions across the world center on couples and treating your significant other. see TRADITIONS page 3
Photo Illustration by EMMA HORATH | Vidette Photographer