The history of Valentine’s Day is not well known for the majority of people.  Usually, on February 14, people celebrate Valentine’s Day by sending loving cards, gifts, candy, and showing messages of love to the people you care most about, but the origin of this holiday may leave some questioning thoughts. 

   Valentine’s Day comes from a combination of different countries and time periods. It all started from Roman Catholics and a saint named St. Valentine. This is where Valentine’s Day gets its name from.

   The Catholic Church in the Third Century had secret weddings for Roman soldiers, including St. Valentine, on February 13-15. This meant they were going against the emperors wishes and labeling him as the love stealer.

   Years after that, St. Valentine wrote the first love letter to his “valentine” that he met in prison due to the secret weddings. Before his death, he wrote the same young girl a letter that signed “From your Valentine”.  This is the reason we write this phrase in current Valentine’s Day cards.

   The reason we celebrate Valentine’s Day today comes from the start of Victorian men giving women flowers, along with Richard Cadbury creating the first heart- shaped box of chocolates. Conversation hearts and cards in New England became popular by a company named Necco.

   In the 1920s, English- styled cards also became popularized in stores thanks to the assembly line in America. This then caused Hallmark, an American company, to begin distributing “Valentine’s Day Cards”. 

   Over the years, Valentine’s Day has grown to be a big money maker and a day to celebrate your love for others.