Be mine over time

Learn about the history of Valentine’s Day

Hallmark staff
History of Valentine’s Day

The origins of Valentine's Day are murky. February, however, has long been associated with romance, a month thought to mark the beginning of the mating season for birds.

One legend involves Valentinus, a theologian and teacher. During the third century, Valentinus was imprisoned for his Christian beliefs and sentenced to death. While jailed, according to Roman legend, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer’s blind daughter. The night before he died, Valentinus wrote a farewell note to the girl, which he signed, “From Your Valentine.” His sentence was carried out the next day, Feb. 14, 269 A.D.

Hundreds of years later in fifth century Rome, people honored Juno, the pagan goddess of love and marriage, on Feb. 14. During the celebration, men would draw women’s names and court them for marriage.

Around 498 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 as St. Valentine’s Day to honor the martyr Valentinus and to end the pagan celebration.

Did you know?

  • Valentine’s Day is always observed on February 14.
  • Esther Howland of Worcester, Mass., published the first American valentine in 1849.
  • Hallmark first offered Valentine’s Day cards in 1913 and began producing them in 1916.
  • In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark and Italy.