Not even going to bother with the fancy stuff,

Questions will be below, DB and I will addthem to THIS THREAD every day or so along with their time limits (each time limit will be 24 hours EXACTLY (Questions will not be posted as soon as each time limit ends, there may be breaks inbetween - random posting times :P)

1. What is the history behind Valentines Day?
   

   -- Answers Must be Submitted to Jenni939706 by 2:15 PM US Eastern Time
   -- General Answer (Not too specific is ok)

REMEMBER: the faster you answer the question, the more points you'll get

and NO COPYING AND PASTING please.

Thanks
Jen

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OK, here is the next question.

....2. Which king established St. Valentine's Day as a Christian holiday?

....................-- Answers must be submitted to db1986 by 4:35PM UK and Ireland time.

REMEMBER: the faster you answer the question, the more points you'll get.

and NO COPYING AND PASTING please.

Thanks
db

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Theories:

1) - named after two Early Christian martyrs named Valentine
(associated with romance due to Chaucer's circle)
2) - Belarus - holiday is because of Saint Valentine who killed himself when he was rejected :(
3) - Saint Valentine was persecuted (because he was a Christian) by Roman Eperor Claudius
- before he was executed, he apparently healed the blind daughter of his jailer?
4) - Valentine was a priest who went against Roman Emperor Claudius II, who wanted young men to remain single
- Valentine continued to perform marriage ceremonies for young men
- Valentine was arrested for this, but before he was executed, he wrote the first "valentine" addressed to his beloved
- The note was signed "From your Valentine"

BEST RESPONSES: (cant give extra points :( sry and please keep them anonymous...if they're yours, dont say, we'll tell at the end if you really want to know )

This occasion has history in various beliefs.

Most common beliefs are Roman and Christian based. The most popular is of a Priest by the name of St. Valentine. He was a priest that attracted the disfavour of Roman emperor Claudius II at that time. Claudiius believed that soldiers that fought wars would make better soldiers if they were not married and single. St Valentine opposed this idea and was secretly marrying soldiers until he was caught and imprisoned. Claudius then tried to convert St Valentine but he refused. He was ordered to be executed.

While awaiting execution, he was presented with the daughter of one of his jailors that was blind. According to legend, he cured her. According to legend he fell in love with her before execution. Before he was executed, he asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lives forever since then.

WE celebrate Valentine's day on February 14th, the execution date of St. Valentine.

There are also pagan origins to this date as well. This is more obscure but known nonetheless

Feast of Juno Fructifer:
The Romans celebrated a holiday on February 14th to honor Juno Fructifier, Queen of the Roman gods and goddesses as well as goddess of marriage. In one ritual, women would submit their names to a common box and men would each draw one out. These two would be a couple for the duration of the festival It was designed to promote not only fertility, but also life generally.


So the history behind valentines day:

Once Aphrodite hit her middle-ages she pretty much went on a wild streak. She was a pretty rampant youth, enticing young men back to her lair, disregarding her godly duties, drinking wine into the late hours of the morning with all the demons of the river Styx, but once she hit her 30's she felt she was past it. In a bid to reclaim her youth she went on one last pub/winery(?) crawl. She went back to her old haunts, the island of Lebos where she got a tad tipsy with the locals (facebook the pictures, you wont be disappointed) and the entrance to the underworld. She had never really ventured into the underworld for fear her father would disown her, but she decided in a rush of confidence to risk it. She tentatively took a few steps into the foreboding cave, in the distance she could just make out a very faint noise, faint enough to warrant further exploration. She went deeper and deeper still, forgetting it was an act of rebellion and becoming more and more consumed in discovering what the noise was. She stopped dead in her tracks. Wailing. It was screaming, thousands of screams, sobs, laments, all swirled into a ghostly mass. With that she turned around in an attempt to flee the cave, but in a flash of light Hades himself appeared. "What have we here? Tis fair Aphrodite" he snarled "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Forgetting her fear Aphrodite shouted "I want you to let them go!"
"Let them go?" He cackled, "Hardly, My dear these are my souls, mine to do with as I please." He traced a finger down her now pale cheek "Of course, I could let them go...If, I so please..."
Aphrodite shuddered, "Why are they here?!"
"These souls are special to me, it's almost sad that they are here" he grinned "These souls forsaked love, in all forms from their lives, they went out of their way to destroy happiness for others too. Seems you havent been doing your job dear Aphrodite"
"Tell me what I have to do to set them free!"
Hades, finding this situation infinitely amusing, decided to take advantage of her predicament, as any vaguely decent lord of the underworld would. "I want your beauty, your flowing locks will turn to dry straw, your smooth ivory skin to pale skin that flakes at the touch, your shapely body to that of an old street hag, Aphrodite shall exist no longer, no longer will she be the picture of female beauty, you Aphrodite will be less than common. Will you sacrifice your infinite beauty and immortality for a few measely souls?" He paused, taking in her shaking frame, even amongst all the decay and death he could smell her, the faint smell of pear leaves and pomegranets, very rarely do I get such a treat he mused. In a moment of exceptionally rare benevolance he turned to her "Come now. Leave this place. Your silence has answered me enough"
"Take it." She whispered. For almost a second Hades was left speechless, he was soon roaring with laughter, "Are you sure my sweet rose?" he purred. With tears streaming down her face, she nodded. "Take it, take it all! But for every person who declares their love on this day, I get some of my beauty back!" She sobbed. Hades, infintely pleased with himself, smirked at the idea "Have you known me to bargain my love?" he snarled, falling to her knees she begged him for a modicum of comfort. Hades, now infintely amused at the fact she was begging, considered a compromise. "Do not take me for a fool Aphrodite, within a few years you will be back to your old self! No. On this day, as long as people declare their love foreachother, you will return to your former glory, at the rise of the new morning, you will once again become the age old hag wandering the markets, babbling inanities, Now my love? Do you consent. Should I let them free?"
Aphrodite ventured a few steps to the right, she examined her face for the last time in a small puddle. "Just let them go" she whispered.
"That I shall my dear. That I shall."
Hades, now surrounded by a devilish blue aura, engulfed Aphrodite in a coccoon of noise. She was surrounded by the screams and wails of the very people she was trying to save, every soul passed through her, stealing a fraction of her beauty as it was set free. Soon she was a quivering ball left lifeless on the ground. Hades kissed her lightly on the forehead as he dissolved into the darkness "Every day on the 14th of February, you may once again return to your former glory. Till then my sweet"

...And thats the story behind valentines day.

Due to the fact that the history is quite vague and there is no definite knowledge on this subject, practically everything was considered correct as long as it was related, i've heard it before, or when i looked it up myself i found the same responses

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Time has lapsed since question 2 was set.

Answer
The answer to question 2 was Pope Gelasius I, in 496AD.

However, my wording of the question caused some confusion as I mentioned which "king".
Due to this misunderstanding, I have accepted King Henry VIII as a correct answer.

Best Responses
1. It was in 496AD when Pope Gelasius abolished the Roman pastoral festival, Lupercalia. So it is probably when he established Valentine's Day. However, a Pope was never a king (even though he had more power than any mortal ruler).

2. King Henry VIII (probably coulda guessed that lol the horny devil)

3. Although it was Pope Gelasius (492 - 496) who declared February 14th St Valentine's day (Ref 1), this holiday was declared under/over/in conjunction with* the reign of Emperor Anastasius (491 - 518)

*depending on the view you subscribe to, the word "established" in this question is controversial because of Pope Gelasius' particularly strong views on the "doctrine of the two powers" (authority of the priests vs royal power of the kings and emperors) (Ref 2) .

The Pope felt that both authorities were 'under the command', so to speak, of the opposing authority, in matters in which the opposing authorirty was more knowledgeable. For instance, in celebrating religious festivals (such as Saint Valentine's day), royal power falls beneath the command of priestly power, because the priests are more knowledgeable in this area. Thus, a king would not have been able to "establish" a religious holiday because it was not within his adminstration; instead, Pope Gelasius would have overseen the establishment of this holiday and Emperor Anastasius would have accepted the Pope's final decision.

Therefore, owing the establishment of St Valentine's Day to a king or emperor, instead of a priest/pope/religious figure, disrupts the "doctrine of the two authorities", and displays yet another subjective viewpoint.

refs:
Ref 1: http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/w...tines-day.html
Ref 2: http://www.myriobiblos.gr/texts/english/milton1_7.html

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Question 3: Who brought the tradition of rose-giving on Valentines day to Europe and from what language was the tradition derived from? :D

(haha, didn't i say it'd be at sometime at this time ;)
:) have funnn

Answers pmed to ME :P (if you send them to db....u better hope hes nice enough to forward them to me with the time u sent it :P)

Due When: (I dont know the "correct" names for these :P, just cities and if i messed up :( sorryyy, please pm me or something)

US Western Time - 6:00 pm Feb 11
Denver,Phoenix Time - 7:00 pm Feb 11
Chicago,Dallas Time - 8:00 pm Feb 11
US Eastern Time - 9:00 pm Feb 11
London Time - 2 am Feb 12
Mumbai - 7:30 am Feb 12
Hong Kong, Beijing - 10:00 am Feb 12
Adelaide - 11:30 am Feb 12
Guam,Sydney - 12:00 noon Feb 12

I tried to get the most timezones XD

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Yes, if you send answers to the wrong person they will forward it on. So don't panic and think "Oh noes!"

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Hmm. I didn't want to double post but it's my turn to give out a question. Sorry mods/admins :P

Question 4.
Which famous person quoted, "We loved with a love that was more than love"?

Please send your answers to db1986 by:

6:03 on Thursday 12th February Western USA
8:03 on Thursday 12th February Central USA
9:03 on Thursday 12th February Eastern USA
14:03 on Thursday 12th February UK and Ireland
19:03 on Thursday 12th February India
3:03 on Friday 13th February Western Australia
5:03 on Friday 13th February Eastern Australia

Link to PM db

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Question 3: Who brought the tradition of rose-giving on Valentines day to Europe and from what language was the tradition derived from? :D

Answer 3:
Okay, this question did have some issues (again. i know :( due to:
1) the wording and
2) the origin issues of the guy I was looking for (you'll see what i mean XD)

I was looking for Charles II of Sweden bringing the tradition of rose giving to Europe
He brought the tradition from Persia (making him Charles II of Sweden from Persia = origin issues)

I also took answers (because i didnt specify i was looking for a singular person) which said the "who" was persians or swedish people...(i cant be politically correct :( sorry)

the language i was looking for was the "language of the flowers" or floriography :)
and for languages (due to a couple answers) i took .um...however u translate sweden into a language...., persian language (ok i fail, i know) and chinese (due to an answer i got from belowww)

get it? language? ok, yeah. i know. im odd -_- dont ask.

ummm. im not gonna cite any websites myself because 1) i couldnt find them again and 2) the one i got the question from is in the examples below :)

Thanks, Jen
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Best Responses (my comments in italics and underlined :P)
(First two were exactly what i was looking for, others show the other possible answers i took/why)
Charles II of Sweden brought the tradition of rose giving to Europe...the language is floriography, (or Hanakotoba in Japan) "the language of flowers"

Charles II of Sweden brought the custom to Europe, from Persia, in the 1700s (ref 1a, 1b).

The word 'rose' itself, is Persian (ref 2). The act of giving roses stemmed from the Language Of Flowers, which describes the different meanings of a variety of flora and fauna. Although not a typical language, it can still be thought of as a language: the flowers being the characters and the script of this language, with well-known and accepted meanings and connations. The first flower dictionary was written and published by Charlotte de la Tour of France in 1818, and it was called Le Langue des Fleurs (ref 3).

The red rose is Venus' favourite flower, and as she is the Goddess of love, red roses soon grew to symbolise love and passion, thus becoming a Valentine's Day classic (ref 1a).

refs:
1a) http://www.superpages.com/supertips/...s-flowers.html
1b) http://www.erasofelegance.com/holidays/valentine.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose
3) http://www.articlesbase.com/gifts-ar...rs-762600.html

(promised person i took this from that i'd cite him/her, will tell laterrr :P)

The tradition of rose-giving came to Europe from either China, or Persia (according to what website you read, lol).

China citiation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose#History

Persia citiation http://www.articledashboard.com/Arti...adition/705243

The tradition of communication through giving flowers is called 'floriography'. A red rose communicates true love.

The language of deriviation of 'floriography' is not straightforward. It's a compound word, from 'flora' (Latin for flowers and plants) and 'graphe' (Greek, meaning writing).

I'd say Latin overall, as the Greek ending is tacked onto an awful lot of words, and it's the Latin part which makes it distinctive.

Charles II of Sweden

sounds like he might have brought some flowers yes.

umm and of Persian derivative?

haha XD ok, i had to include this one :P is right XD , not that diff from the first two..but come onn XD it has to make u laugh :) because its lovely :D not like..im making fun...ok. sorry i'll stop

Charles II of Sweden done the thing. I dunno what you mean by "what language" it was derived from? The international language of lurrrrve? Or maybe the international language of Esperanto. Let's speak Esperanto, yay!

Oh, could it be the "language of flowers", as google has suggested. :P Red roses mean "passionate love", I think. Is this the "language" that you mean? :S

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Time has lapsed since question 4 was set.

Question 4 Answer
The answer to question 4 was Edgar Allan Poe.

Question 5.
The new world record for the longest kiss was set on the 11 July, 2005.
For how long did this kiss take place?

Please send your answers to db1986 by:

11:27 on Friday 13th February Western USA
13:27 on Friday 13th February Central USA
14:27 on Friday 13th February Eastern USA
19:27 on Friday 13th February UK and Ireland
00:27 on Saturday 14th February India
05:27 on Saturday 14th February Western Australia
07:27 on Saturday 14th February Eastern Australia

Link to PM db

Edit: As the competition is coming to a close tomorrow, there will only be one further question, making a total of 6.
Keep those eyes peeled, the question may be here sooner than you think.

Edit 2: Hmm. 200 PMs already?!? I shall have to go clear some.

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LAST Question:
Below are a several poems regarding friendship.
Please state the title and author of each (entire title and name are required unless otherwise stated) -- Sorry, but for each I wrote next to the number which names (first or last) are needed because those arent the same throughout, whole titles are needed throughout :)

Please read the poems throughout? They're not just random poems i chose :) They're poems that I believe are quite lovely :D

1) (First and Last name)
May our friendship last forever;
May I sail upon your sea.
May we go through life together;
May there always be a "we."
May I be your endless sky;
May you breathe my gentle air.
May you never wonder why
Each time you look for me, I'm there.

May we be for each a smile
Like the warm, life-giving sun;
Yet when we're in pain awhile,
May our suffering be one.

May we share our special days,
The happiness of one for two;
And if we must go separate ways,
Let my love remain with you.


2) (First name only)
although two souls are meeting
there is but one voice
capturing the moment
captivating and controlling
the thoughts, actions, words
leading the way for conscious
desire and decisive emotion

stories and daily goings- on
are frequently passed
between the one voice
and the intermixed beings
creating a warm happiness
a sense of belonging
an aura of completeness
a comfortable existence

time, a distant memory
fading in and fading out,
its power and autonomy fall
on blissfully ignorant,
yet distinctly aware,
ears - focused and true

with the quantity
of well spent hours
adding up and summarizing
the feelings and beliefs
shared and opposed,
comes an ability
to confide and uphold
moments, eternities
abundant with understanding.


3) (First and Last Name)
As I look
Beyond the ripples of my reflections
To examine my inner self;
The ripples begin to fade . . .
As the reflection lays beside me
Grasping my hand,
The inner warmth shields me
And the vision of my reflection appears
I see you. My Friend.

4) (First and Last Name)
And a youth said, "Speak to us of Friendship."

Your friend is your needs answered.

He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board and your fireside.

For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;

For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.

And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.

For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.

If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.

For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?

Seek him always with hours to live.

For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.


PM TO ME :D by:
(Timezones taken from db -- Thanks DB)
10:30 PM on Saturday 14th February Western USA
12:30 PM on Saturday 14th February Central USA
01:30 PM on Saturday 14th February Eastern USA
06:30 PM on Saturday 14th February UK and Ireland
11:30 PM on Saturday 14th February India
04:30 AM on Sunday 15th February Western Australia
06:30 AM on Sunday 15th February Eastern Australia

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Time has lapsed since Question 5 was set.

Answer
The answer to question 5 is 31 hours 30 minutes and 30 seconds.

Best Responses
Heh. Quite a few of these made me lol.

1. The worlds longest kiss took 31 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds...
Lawl, we better hope his breath was nice.. otherwise 31 hours of bad breath.. ew... xD ;)
I wonder if he slipped any tongue?

2. 31 hr 30 min 30 sec
I bet they had sore ummm..... lips
I wonder whether they are still together

3. The "longest kiss" record set on July 6th/7th 2005, took 31 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds (ref 1).
Does this also mean that they did not brush their teeth, take a potty break, change their underwear, or eat for for 24 hours?
Ahh...what people do for love...
ref:
1) http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/...02/080214.aspx

4. 31 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds. I hope they ate some mints beforehand :s

5. Longest kiss: 31 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds! (31:30:30)
*goes off to break the longest kiss record *
..JK ;)

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oh u did NOT have to add those comments db XD :P "slipped any tongue" oddhead.

Alright, thats it for the questions :) competition officially ends tomorrow at 2:00 pm :) (we need time to sort out scores) and the winner and special mentions will be posted soon after (maybe...)

Also, prize will (hopefully) be coming tomorrow also :D ..but I have no control this time :P

Thanks :D

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LAST Question Answers:

Answer:
1) Nicholas Gordon - May Our Friendship Last Forever
2) Paulus - Two Souls, One Voice
3) Dena Martin - Serenity
4) Khalil Gibran - Friendship IXX (From the Prophet)

No Beat Responses this time because....well,...there really cant be any variation in theses responses XD <3


Thanks to everyone for participating :) Winners and final scores will be posted by db when he can :) dont rush him though XD hes got a lot of work :P


Thanks
Jen

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