National Day

Valentine's Day

Celebrated on 02/14/2026

Quick Fact

Valentine's Day may have roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration held in mid-February. In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day, though the exact identity of St. Valentine remains a mystery, with at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus being venerated on February 14.

Origins and Establishment of Valentine's Day

The origins of Valentine's Day are shrouded in a blend of Christian and ancient Roman traditions. The most popular belief is that the holiday commemorates the martyrdom of St. Valentine, a priest who performed secret marriages for soldiers forbidden to marry by Emperor Claudius II in the 3rd century AD. When Claudius discovered this, he had Valentine executed on February 14, 269 AD. Another legend tells of a Valentine who helped Christians escape Roman prisons and sent a love letter signed "from your Valentine" to his jailer's daughter. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as St. Valentine's Day, likely to Christianize the pagan fertility festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on February 15 and involved animal sacrifices and matchmaking lotteries.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Valentine's Day evolved from a religious feast day into a celebration of romantic love during the Middle Ages. The tradition of courtly love flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries, and by the 18th century, it became common for lovers to exchange tokens of affection. The first mass-produced Valentine's Day cards were introduced in the 1840s by Esther Howland, known as the "Mother of the American Valentine." Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries worldwide, with customs including exchanging greeting cards, flowers (especially roses), chocolates, and jewelry. It is also a popular day for romantic dinners and marriage proposals. In recent years, the holiday has expanded to include expressions of love between family members and friends, with some celebrating "Galentine's Day" for female friendships.

Facts & General Observations

• Approximately 145 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually in the United States, making it the second-largest card-sending holiday after Christmas.
• About 250 million roses are grown for Valentine's Day each year, with red roses symbolizing romantic love.
• The average American spends around $200 on Valentine's Day gifts, contributing to over $20 billion in total spending in the U.S. annually.

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