Valentine’s Day falls on February 14th every year! It’s a time where couples or those who admire each other exchange small gifts or surprises to show their care for the other person.
It is known as a day of love, whether it’s love of friends, family, or a significant other. The figure, Cupid, is known for going around and shooting arrows at people to make them fall in love. However, Valentine’s Day wasn’t surrounded by romance until the 14th century (Britannica).
A priest who was jailed and wrote a letter before he was martyred signed the letter saying it was from her Valentine. This is one theory of Valentine’s Day; another one is about a Saint who would secretly marry couples so that the men wouldn’t have to go to war and leave behind their loved ones and families (Britannica).
There was also a more extreme Valentine’s Day before the actual Valentine’s Day called Lupercalia that was celebrated by the Romans, but the Pope was said to have banned it. The reason for the ban was because of the explicitness of the day and the events. This might be one of the reasons that Valentine’s Day came about was to be a sweeter version of Lupercalia after the Pope’s prohibition (Britannica).
These are just one of the many theories of how Valentine’s Day came about. America is not one of the only countries that celebrates Valentine’s Day. Britain, France, Argentina, Canada, South Korea, and Mexico also celebrate this day of love (Britannica).
Overall, the exact history of Valentine’s Day is unknown and complex, but it is a special day to show love and care for those around you, and to make them feel extra appreciated.