What’s the history behind Valentine’s Day?
Posted on Feb 11, 2026 / Society
The history of Valentine’s Day goes back many centuries and mixes legend with cultural tradition that evolved over time. One popular story says Saint Valentine was a priest in ancient Rome who performed secret marriages for soldiers who weren’t allowed to wed, and he was executed for it on February 14 around AD 270. This act of defiance became linked with ideas of love and sacrifice. The date may also be connected to an older Roman festival called Lupercalia, which celebrated fertility and was held around mid‑February. Over time, the Christian holiday became shaped into a more romantic celebration, especially by the Middle Ages in Europe when poets and lovers started associating the day with courtly love. By the 14th century, writers like Geoffrey Chaucer were already mentioning Valentine’s Day in poetry, helping it become a tradition tied to romantic love. Today, it’s much less about old rituals and more about expressing affection using cards, gifts and shared experiences with loved ones.
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