THE TRUE PAST OF VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine’s Day—it’s either your worst enemy or your favorite holiday. But have you ever wondered why? Well, I’m here to tell you. How did Valentine’s Day become a holiday? Where did it come from? Let’s figure it out.

Where did Valentine’s Day get its name? The holiday is named after St. Valentine, a priest from 270 CE. It is said that he was executed for secretly marrying couples so that the husbands wouldn’t have to go to war. This is why the holiday is associated with love.

Valentine’s Day originated from the Roman festival Lupercalia, which was held on February 15th to mark the beginning of spring. The festival was believed to bring fertility and was known for “pairing off” women with potential husbands. It was also associated with Faunus, the Italian god of fruitfulness, worshiped by farmers and rural communities.

Additionally, Lupercalia had connections to wolves. The word lupus is Latin for "wolf," which suggests a link to the legendary she-wolf that protected Romulus and Remus—twin brothers whose mother was human and whose father was Mars, the god of war. The reigning king at the time wanted the twins killed, but the she-wolf saved them.

By the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius forbade the celebration of Lupercalia, replacing it with St. Valentine’s Day.

A CLASSIC VALENTINES DAY CARD; GRAPHIC BY KAITLIN HUBER AND LILI NANDELL

Valentine’s Day Through the Decades

Now, let’s take a walk down memory lane and see how Valentine’s Day has evolved over time.

• 1970s – People hit the dance floor at discos or roller skate rinks.

• 1980s – Romantic comedies became popular, and dinner dates became more routine.superheroes were also a popular way to ask someone to be your valentine( putting superheroes on cards and posters etc.)

• 1990s – Making mixtapes for loved ones was a big trend, along with scrapbooks and classic boxes of chocolates.

• 2000s – Like the 1980s, rom-coms peaked in popularity, and couples often exchanged name necklaces or half-heart pendants to symbolize their love.

• 2010s – Extravagant gifts became popular, such as jewelry, large flower bouquets, and luxury vacations.

• 2020-2022 – Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many couples celebrated virtually via Zoom or FaceTime, as lockdowns limited in-person activities.

Valentine’s Day has always reflected the trends of its time—whether it’s going to a disco, making a mixtape, or celebrating over a video call. No matter how the holiday changes, love will always find a way to be expressed.