Since 496 AD, people have celebrated Valentine’s Day on the 14th of February every year. Although not everybody celebrates this holiday the same way, most enjoy the day by being with family, going out to parties, or giving gifts to loved ones. People receive candies and flowers from secret admirers and friends. As far as individuals know, February 14th is celebrated as a romantic day for couples and friends.
When people think of Valentine’s Day, they imagine hearts, chocolates, and cupids. Interestingly, nobody knows the exact origin of Valentine’s Day since there are multiple different legends of when and how it began. In Ancient Rome, “Valentine” was a popular name and there are a couple of commonly told stories of how this holiday began with a man named Valentine.
This legend takes place during the 3rd century when a cruel Emperor, known as Claudius II, ruled. He announced that men were forbidden from marrying or finding love since single males tended to be stronger soldiers. Then, Saint Valentine, a priest, believed that this rule was unfair and decided to go against Claudius’s orders. He continued to marry couples in secret. When Claudius found out about the secrecy, he ordered St. Valentine to be imprisoned and executed. In the jail cell, Valentine met a sick girl who turned out to be the jailor’s ill daughter. Right before he was eradicated, Valentine signed a note, “From your Valentine,” to the girl he met in the jail cell. The date, February 14, comes into play when St. Valentine was executed on February 14, 270 AD.

Later, in the 5th century, Pope Gelasius officially announced Valentine’s Day to be on February 14th, except they didn’t celebrate it as a romantic holiday just yet. During this era, France and England noticed that bird mating season began on the 14th of February. This seems to have idealized the notion that Valentine’s Day should be a day of love. The idea of Valentine’s Day was officially spread during the 1400s, when the Duke of Orleans, Charles, wrote a Valentine’s poem to his wife. This letter is known as the oldest love letter that still exists today and is kept in a British library. After Charles’ poem, other couples began to write letters, notes, and cards to their loved ones. Suddenly, in the 1800s, exchanging gifts of affection became popular, which was also when Esther A. Howland (known as the “Mother of the American Valentine”) created a Valentine’s card company in Massachusetts.
Finally, as time passed, the world appeared to have associated love and hearts with Valentine’s Day. The colors red and pink often symbolized affection and friendships. Other iconic Valentine symbols, like the cupid, roses, and a box of chocolates, were slowly invented as time went on. Though this romantic holiday began in 270 AD when St. Valentine wrote a simple note, tons of people still celebrate it to this day.
When, why, and how the world celebrates Valentine’s Day and its traditions have differed, but the message remains the same. This day seems to connect people in numerous ways. Jillian De La Cruz (10) explains, “Each year on Valentine’s Day, I spend time with my family and friends. This year, my friends and I planned a Galentines and I’m so excited!” Individuals celebrate a day of love in unique ways depending on the country. People in the U.S., like in many other countries, exchange cards and flowers, or go on romantic dinners on the 14th of February. Slovenia enjoys Valentine’s Day with fieldwork since the day is traditionally known as the first day of spring. Brazil celebrates “Valentine’s Day” on June 12. Each country has various customs that accord to different holidays. Whether it is buying flowers for your admirer or going out with family and friends, Valentine’s Day will hopefully continue to be celebrated.