The History of Valentine's Day, and Why We Celebrate

Valentine’s Day may be associated with romance, but the origin of the celebration isn’t exactly romantic. Here’s the history of Valentine’s Day you may not know—plus when Valentine’s Day 2022 is so you can prepare ahead.

Whether you love Valentine's Day or despise it, one thing's clear: Valentine's Day history stretches way back. And while Valentine's Day is today known for kissing, Valentine's Day gifts and hard-to-get dinner reservations, the origins of the celebration are far less romantic. Here, is the Valentine's Day history that wouldn't make it into a rom-com, involving a saint, a massacre, and even the naughty nuns of Valentine's Day (really!).

When is Valentine’s Day?

Valentine's Day is February 14. Valentine's Day 2022 is a Monday; 2021 was a Sunday. Valentine's Day 2023 will be February 14.

Since Pope Gelasius named February 14 St. Valentine's Day at the end of the 5th century, the 14th has been a religious or romantic holiday.

How did Valentine’s Day start?

Valentine's Day got jumbled into a mid-February Roman feast called Lupercalia, which some historians believe led to Valentine's Day is about love. Lupercalia may have involved pairing men and women by drawing names from a jar. Ancient Greeks celebrated Zeus and Hera's midwinter marriage.

Who was Saint Valentine? (And what does he have to do with chocolate hearts?)

Not much, it turns out. Saint Valentine's Day was a feast day in the Catholic religion, added to the liturgical calendar around 500 AD. The day was commemorated for martyred saints named—you guessed it—Valentine. Differing legends celebrate three different saints called Valentine or Valentinus, but since very little was known about these men and there were conflicting reports of the Saint Valentine Day story, the feast day was removed from the Christian liturgical calendar in 1969.

But even though not much is known about the real history of Saint Valentine on whom the holiday is based, the legend of Saint Valentine has several tellings. One legend says that Saint Valentine refused to convert to paganism and was executed by Roman Emperor Claudius II. Prior to his death, he was able to miraculously heal the daughter of his jailer, who then converted to Christianity along with his family. Another legend says a bishop called Saint Valentine of Terni is the true namesake of the holiday; this Saint Valentine was also executed.

But according to others—and this is how Saint Valentine became affiliated with a love-focused holiday—Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who performed weddings for soldiers forbidden to marry, because of a Roman emperor edict decreeing married soldiers did not make good warriors and thus young men could not marry. This Saint Valentine wore a ring with a Cupid on it—a symbol of love—that helped soldiers recognize him. And, in a precursor to greeting cards, he handed out paper hearts to remind Christians of their love for God.

Because of this legend, St. Valentine became known as the patron saint of love. The Saint Valentine prayer asks Saint Valentine to connect lovers together, so that two become one, and the couple remembers their devotion to God.

While the Saint Valentine story set the groundwork for establishing the day as a holiday for romantic love, what truly solidified the connection between Saint Valentine and love was a poem by medieval author Geoffrey Chaucer in 1381, which historians consider the origin of the "modern" celebration of Valentine's Day, where we celebrate our romantic partnership with one other person.

Why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Chaucer lived in the Middle Ages, the era of courtly love when broad, romantic statements of devotion—poems, songs, paintings—celebrated partnership. By the 15th century, "valentine" was used to designate a lover in poems and ballads. In the 18th century, England published The Young Man's Valentine Writer. By the mid-19th century, mass-produced Valentine's Cards were made, and Valentine's Day was founded.

Valentine's Day has a tragic past. In Prohibition Chicago in 1929, seven men were assassinated by a group organized by Al Capone on February 14. The Valentine's Day Massacre was a flashpoint in Prohibition history when police and lawmakers went after gangs and mobs that controlled alcohol.

What is the meaning of Valentine’s Day?

Valentine's Day is a religious event, an ancient tradition, and a commercial holiday. All this change means Valentine's Day can mean whatever you want it to: You can forgo the celebrations, buy yourself chocolate or flowers, or express your affection for coworkers, romantic partners, friends, or family. Galentine's Day is a relatively new method for women to commemorate their affection for their best friends.

Catch up with your loved one on Valentine's Day by gifting a special gift from giftpals.com. We have a variety of gifts that are perfect for every occasion, from casual outings and family get-togethers to special nights alone together. You can opt to send over flowers or chocolates or even buy a gift card instead! Whatever you choose, we guarantee your loved one will love it!