Sunny Priyan
Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility festival in mid-February where young men drew women’s names from a box, often leading to romantic pairings. This later influenced the modern celebration of Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day is named after Saint Valentine of Rome, a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II's marriage ban and was executed on February 14th, around 269 AD.
In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I established February 14th as St. Valentine's Day to honor Saint Valentine and Christianize the pagan Lupercalia festival.
In the Middle Ages, Geoffrey Chaucer linked Valentine's Day to the start of birds' mating season in his poem "Parliament of Fowls" (1382), strengthening its association with romantic love.
By the 18th century, handwritten love notes became popular, and in the 19th century, mass-produced Valentine's Day cards spread globally, including to America.
In the 20th century, Valentine's Day became commercialized with gifts, flowers, chocolates, and cards, and is now globally celebrated as a day to express love and affection.