The history of Valentine's Day

By: Dori Jenkins

The history of Valentine’s Day and the story of its patron saint is covered in mystery.  February has always been celebrated as a month of romance and St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains leftovers of both Christian and Ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient ceremony? 

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of which were martyred. One legend says that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the announcement, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. 

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl, possibly his jailor’s daughter, who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is suspected that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still used today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and most importantly, romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France. A Seckman High School senior, Brittany Drumm, says, “I have never really known the reason that Valentine’s Day is celebrated, but it is one of my favorite holidays because it is not a huge celebration; however, you can still show your love for someone with just something small, like a rose or chocolates.”

Valentine’s began popularly celebrated by the 17th Century, in England it began to resemble the Valentine's Day we know today. At this time, lovers began to express their love with gifts of flowers, candy and cards, which were called ‘valentines.’ An American cartoonist, Charles M. Schulz, says, “All you need is love, but a little chocolate on Valentine’s Day doesn’t hurt.” 

Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in America, Italy, United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, France, Australia and Denmark. St. Valentine's Day falls on February 14 of each year. A Seckman High School junior, Erica Lutker, says, “My favorite time of the year is Valentine’s Day when I get chocolates and roses from my boyfriend!” Although the name is Saint Valentine's Day, most people refer to the day simply as Valentine's Day, or even the Feast of Saint Valentine.