The History of Valentine's Day

Asmi Aggarwal & Sara Bradecich

Is Valentine’s Day a celebration of capitalism… or love? Cynical boyfriends around the world complain that Valentine’s Day is just a ploy constructed by Hallmark to sell overpriced chocolates and tacky greeting cards. But… might it be deeper than that? Let’s explore the actual origins of this holiday!

Valentine’s Day is ultimately celebrated each year in remembrance of Saint Valentine, a revered figure in both Western Christianity and Eastern Orthodoxy. On Feb. 14, 270 AD, the date of our modern holiday, the Roman Prefect sentenced him to death by means of clubbing and decapitation. The exact reason as to why the Christian martyr was executed still remains murky, but the most common theory remains the idea that Valentine openly defied a decree issued by Emperor Claudius II.

Believing that family life was a distraction, Claudius II banned the marriage of young soldiers to boost productivity and increase the number of available soldiers for his campaign. However, Saint Valentine, maintaining his faith in the sanctity of love, secretly continued to marry couples in honor of his Christian roots—even though it would lead to his eventual death.

The public had extremely varied reactions to the passing of Valentine; Roman officials believed that his execution was crucial to keep society in order, Christians viewed his martyrdom as inspirational, and citizens—especially couples—later romanticized his sacrifice as a symbol of love and compassion amidst oppression.

Widespread conviction finally led Pope Gelasius I to replace Lupercalia, the original February holiday in Rome entailing more violent celebrations of fertility, courtship, purity and prosperity, with Valentine’s Day in the 5th century.

Today, the holiday has lost a lot of its sacrificial connotations while lovers joyously celebrate with gifts and acts of affection. We’ll never really know if Cupid is the one who’s actually behind this complex scheme, but we hope you’ve learned a little more about the celebration’s history. Happy Valentine’s Day!