Valentine's Day is celebrated every year on February 14th with heart-shaped candies, cards and gift exchanges, but did you know the holiday is named after a Roman priest named Valentine and its origins are thought to go back thousands of years to ancient Roman times?

In mid-February, ancient Romans celebrated a fertility festival called Lupercalia. Most of the festival was not very romantic, but according to some accounts, the festivities included a matchmaking ritual where young women put their names in a jar for young men to draw, and the couple would attend a feast together.

By the 5th century, Lupercalia was one of the few pagan festivals still celebrated in Rome. In 496 CE, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14th the Feast of Saint Valentine.

Saint Valentine was probably a real person who lived in the 3rd century, but many versions of his story exist. One legend describes him as a priest who secretly married couples despite Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriages. He was arrested and executed on February 14th, becoming a symbol of love and devotion. Another story says he fell in love with a noble's blind daughter, restored her sight, and signed a letter to her as “Your Valentine.” Over time, the day became associated with love and romance.

During medieval times, people drew names for their Valentines and wore them on their sleeves. Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem, The Parliament of Fowl, mentioned that birds chose their mates on Saint Valentine’s Day. In the 14th and 15th centuries, England and France began celebrating Valentine's Day as a special day for lovers.

By the 18th century, handmade cards and small gifts became popular.

Today, many cultures celebrate Valentine’s Day in different ways. Some focus on romantic love, while others appreciate friends and family. Many schools encourage students to exchange cards and candy, promoting kindness among classmates.

DID YOU KNOW?

In Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine's Day. There are different kinds of chocolate for different relationships. Some are for friends, some for family members and some for boyfriends. Men reply with their own chocolate gifts on March 14th, a day known as White Day.

For more information about Valentine’s Day as well as worksheets and activities, check out our resource below.