“Valentine’s Day,” or “St. Valentine’s Day,” began as a Christian celebration of the martyrdom of a man named Valentine, who was executed by the Roman Empire on February 14, around Some historians that “St. Valentine’s Day” became intertwined with Lupercalia, an existing Roman tradition, sometime in the fifth century (). Lupercalia, historically, was a purity and fertility ritual celebrated from Feb. 13-15. of at least one male goat and dog, after which youths and men would cut thongs from the flayed skin of the sacrifices and run, nearly or entirely naked, up and down the city to strike those in their way. As it was believed that the ceremony would help pregnant women with delivery and generally cure infertility within the city, many women and children would purposefully get in the way to be struck.
Regardless of the origins of Valentine’s Day, 14th-century British poets (such as Chaucer and Christine de Pizan) bear some of the responsibility for turning the focus of the holiday away from martyrdom and toward romance. Leigh Eric Schmidt that “Chaucer helped lay the foundation for St. Valentine's transformation” and that by the 15th century, connecting the holiday to conventions of amorous love was so commonplace that some poets began to use the term “valentine” as shorthand for one’s lover. Over the next couple of centuries, St. Valentine’s status as a martyr rather than a romantic figure began to wane—although some interpreters tried to salvage his religious status by merging him with the lover’s saint.
Schmidt explains that in Britain, folk traditions and observances surrounding the holiday thrived during the 17th and 18th centuries. Young people drew lots to choose a ‘valentine’ on the holiday, young women sought omens that would provide insight on their future spouse, and children and adults alike went around their neighborhoods singing and handing out gifts. Meanwhile, the poets of the time continued to strongly associate the holiday with romance and giving gifts.
Observance of Valentine’s Day did not appear in the United States until the 1840s, when American printers began to attempt to replicate the success of London printers and bookmakers commercially producing and selling valentine cards. Interest in the “London fashion” spread rapidly through the decade, originating in larger cities (like New York and Philadelphia) but eventually spreading across the United States, where, Schmidt explains, it has endured until the present.
Despite (or perhaps because of) its commercial beginnings, Valentine’s Day has become a touchstone of American culture in its own right. So, whether you're planning an elaborate dinner date, writing a thoughtful card for a close friend or simply treating yourself to something special, Valentine’s Day offers a moment to pause and appreciate the connections that bring joy to our lives. Grab some roses, pick out a card and make time to spend with the people who matter—because at its heart, this holiday is all about celebrating togetherness.
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