"On two separate occasions, two men named Valentine were executed during the holiday."”

PEAK TO PEAK — Picture yourself in your fourth grade classroom getting ready to hand out the valentines you stayed up making the night before. Remember getting excited when your classmates would put goodies in the box you decorated with pink and red hearts in class?

Being grown up makes you miss those times. As an adult, you get to spend this holiday by showing love to partners or friends with the gift of a beautiful bouquet or a sweet box of chocolates.  

Valentine's Day, the celebration of love and commitment, has a different history than you might think. It started when the Romans would celebrate an annual holiday called Lupercalia, which lasted from February 13 to 15. This three-day feast consisted of sacrifices and matchmaking. 

On two separate occasions, two men named Valentine were executed on the holiday. Their deaths were honored by the Catholic Church, who recognized the day as St. Valentine’s Day.

Saint Valentine stained glass window.

Photo courtesy of Zatletic

The two origin stories were combined over the years, and the day became a celebration of love, as romanticized by writers like Shakespeare. A few hundred years later, the Victorian Era popularized the holiday even more.

Romance was a big part of Victorian society, so they adored the idea of a holiday centered around it. They created the tradition of sending love letters on this day, and giving gifts like chocolates, flowers, and jewelry. Participation in this holiday was made easier by accelerated production of these gifts by the Industrial Revolution.

Vintage valentine card of 1915 with loving couple in frame with roses, and text "Be my Valentine."

Photo courtesy of Patricia Hofmeester

In our present, companies release entire product lines themed around Valentine's Day every year. Last year, American consumers spent $27.5 billion on everything from chocolate to restaurants, according to Convenience. Around $3.1 billion was spent on flowers. 

Valentine’s Day is not nationally recognized. Still, people in more than 100 countries celebrate it, according to World Population Review.

Most of Europe, all of North America, and parts of Asia participate in the various festivities like gift giving and going out for dinner. On the other hand, Pakistan and Malaysia forbid or discourage the celebration of Valentine's Day. 

And the holiday has inspired its own spin-offs, like Galentine's day. Like Friendsgiving, Galentine's (or, if you want a gender neutral option, Palentine's) is an alternative to Valentine’s Day for those who want to celebrate their deep connection with friends. 

Old photo of young couple celebrating their love with roses.

Photo courtesy of Neirfy