Day 1: The history of Valentine’s Day

Feb. 14: the day of romance. Across the United States, chocolates, heart-shaped candies, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of Saint Valentine. Yet how did St. Valentine become associated with love and romance?

“No one really understands why Valentine’s Day is a thing nor what it really means,” senior Austin Taylor said. “Everyone is just so used to February being the month of love and receiving or giving gifts to loved ones on Valentine’s Day. It’s amazing to think how long this recognized holiday has survived.”

Though named after St. Valentine, a medieval English poet by the name of Geoffrey Chaucer may have invented Valentine’s Day. No record exists of the holiday’s celebration on the 14th, prior to a poem Chaucer wrote in 1375. In his work “Parliament of Foules,” he links a tradition of courtly love with the celebration of St. Valentine’s feast day–an event that did not exist until after his poem received attention. The poem refers to Feb. 14 as the day birds–and people–come together to find a mate. When Chaucer wrote, “For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day / Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate,” he may have invented the holiday we know today.

There are thousands of legends as to why the holiday is named after St. Valentine. One legend argues that St. Valentine was a priest who served in the third century  Rome, when Emperor Claudius II decided to outlaw marriage for young men. After realizing Claudius’ injustice, St. Valentine defied his ban and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. Upon discovery, Valentine was put to death.

Now, Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday survived by heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, teddy bears, flowers and cards expressing how much they mean to one another. “Will you be my Valentine?” becomes a stressful thought for mingling singles to find a partner.

“I would not say Valentine’s Day is the best holiday, but I will say that it’s useful considering I get free chocolate,” junior Isabella Peschiera said. “I have never heard of a Saint named Valentine and I always thought the United States just made up a holiday to make more money”.

Today, Valentine’s day is a day of secret admirers scurrying around to try and find a  in an odd case of romantic FOMO. Yet since before the 1400’s, Valentine’s day was meant to celebrate the life of Saint Valentine and his sacrifice to save young lovers.