Valentine’s Day is approaching on February 14th, just like every other year. It is a day when most people celebrate their partners and love. People exchange valentines and it’s a day filled with gifts and beautiful chocolates. But where did this holiday come from? 

Although the history of this holiday isn’t confirmed, it may have roots in the Roman Lupercalia festival. However, Valentine’s Day supposedly got its name when Emperor Claudius II Gothicus executed two men named Valentine during the third century. According to an NPR article written by Arnie Seipel, “Their martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day.” Later on during the fifth century, Pope Gelasius I may have combined this day with the Lupercalia festival. But the Valentine’s Day celebration of love we know today would not appear until around the 14th century. 

Soon, this holiday grew and spread throughout Europe. More people thought of it as a day of romance. Britannica states, “Because it was thought that the avian mating season begins in mid-February, birds also became a symbol of the day.”People began to send valentines to each other around the 1500s, but once the industrial revolution hit, factories began mass-producing cards. Companies such as Hallmark started creating their own cards as well. Hallmark made Valentine’s postcards in 1910, but in 1913 switched to Valentine’s Day cards as the popularity of postcards was declining. 

Today, there are many symbols that resonate with the holiday.  Many people give their loved ones flowers, candy, and expensive jewelry. The origin of this holiday is vague, but it is a day when everyone can enjoy chocolates and flowers.