June 12 - Valentine´s Day in Brazil

The Valentine's Day  is a special and commemorative date in which we celebrate the union of love between couples is common to exchange cards and gifts with symbolism same purpose, such as traditional boxes of chocolates. In Brazil, the date is celebrated on June 12.


But why in Brazil is celebrated on June 12?


The origin of the celebration of Valentine's Day in Brazil, on June 12, there is no certainty. It is believed that was set to be the eve of St. Anthony, the saint of the marriage. The belief that the saint would help single women to find a boyfriend has been widespread since the eighteenth century.


This celebration may have started in 1948 in a promotion done by Clipper Shops in Sao Paulo. Some say it began in 1950 with the idea of businessman João Doria who created an advertising campaign similar to the "Valentine's Day" in the United States. The advertising slogan was: "Not only with kisses that proves love."

Traditionally, this day is celebrated on February 14 in several countries (Valentine's Day). This date goes back to Roman times (before Christianity) with the pagan festival called Lupercalia, celebrated on February 15, where young people withdrew from inside the  urn of love the names of their future suitors. With the end of the Age of the Roman Empire, the custom continued.