Did your Valentine’s Day not live up to your expectations? That’s almost certainly the case, since the very foundation of the holiday seems to be based on creating the best experience of your romantic life. Unsurprising, then, that so many of us are left feeling a bit let down. If you’re currently experiencing Valentine-related disappointment, misery, or downright despondency, we here at Her Campus are ready to cheer you up. Here’s a list of people who almost definitely had a worse Valentine’s Day than you did:
1. Captain Cook – 1779
Captain James Cook and his crew visited the Hawaiian Islands three times: the first time the Hawaiians thought they were pretty cool and they got a good trade thing going (the sailors even pulled iron nails out of the ships to trade for a little one-on-one time with the Hawaiian ladies); the second time they all arrived during a festival and really started to take advantage of the Hawaiians’ hospitality, and the third time the Hawaiians greeted the crew by pelting them with rocks. Things escalated quickly and Cook was killed as the crew were mob-chased off the beach. Think about that next time you’re tempted to mooch off of acquaintances.
2. Theodore Roosevelt – 1884
Theo was off doing important law stuff when he got the news that his mum had died of typhoid fever. He rushed home and arrived just in time to be there when his wife died of Bright’s disease. He was so sad that he abandoned his job and his two-day old daughter to be a rancher out west, and it was only when his herd of cattle froze to death two years later that he decided it might be time to go back to his day job. Given that he went on to become the president, we’d say that worked out alright.
3. Dan Jansen – 1988
Jansen, a U.S. speed skater, was pegged to win gold in the 500 metre race at the Calgary Olympics. He was thrown off track when he was informed that his sister had just passed away from leukemia. He competed in his race that day anyway, but quickly fell onto the ice. He did go on to win gold in the 1000 metre race in the 1994 Lillehammer, Norway, and did a victory lap while holding his daughter, Jane. Yes, it’s okay to cry now.
4. St. Valentine – 278 A.D.
Yes, the story of the man himsefl is not a happy one. Young men weren’t joining the Roman army, and Big Boss Claudius decided it must be because all the potential recruits would rather stay at home with their wives, so naturally they outlawed any new marriages. Valentine thought this was complete bull, so he started performing marriages in secret. When the good old Claudius found out, he ordered some dudes to lop off Val’s head. Now we remember the anniversary of his death by exchanging Hershey’s Kisses. What a legacy.
Photo credits: cloudywithachanceofwine.com, interference.cc, robinsonlibrary.com, sports.yahoo.com, cbn.com, information from onthisday.com