Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14, brings with it the chance to show affection and appreciation for loved ones, friends, and partners alike. While many associate the day with chocolates, flowers, and heartfelt cards, the holiday’s roots trace back to ancient customs that blend legend and historical events. Over the centuries, Valentine’s Day evolved into a global celebration of love, each country adding its own unique touches.
Background of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day takes its name from St. Valentine, a mysterious figure with stories that have sparked romance for generations. One legend suggests he was a Roman priest who performed secret marriages during a time when Emperor Claudius II banned them, believing single men made better soldiers. Valentine’s defiance of the emperor’s orders led to his imprisonment, and during this time, he supposedly fell in love with his jailer’s daughter, sending her a note signed, “From your Valentine.” This gesture is thought to have inspired the messages we still send today.
By the 5th century, Pope Gelasius officially marked February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day. As centuries passed, the day transformed into a holiday celebrating romantic love, moving away from its early religious significance. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the holiday grew in popularity, especially in England and France, where people began exchanging tokens of affection. The tradition continued to grow, eventually making its way into American culture, where it flourished into the holiday we know today, marked by giving gifts, handwritten cards, and heartfelt gestures.
Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day offers endless possibilities to show love and appreciation. Here are a few ways to make the day special:
- Exchange Thoughtful Gifts: Traditional gifts like chocolates and flowers remain favorites, but personalized presents add a unique touch. A handwritten note or a framed memory speaks volumes about your connection.
- Plan an Experience Together: Go beyond material gifts with shared experiences. A cozy dinner, a day exploring a new area, or even a weekend getaway adds to your collection of cherished moments.
- Show Appreciation for Friends and Family: Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be limited to romantic partners. Show appreciation to friends and family with simple gestures like a phone call, a handwritten note, or a small surprise to make them smile.
- Support Local Businesses: Many small businesses offer unique Valentine’s-themed products. Supporting local bakeries, florists, or artisans can make your gifts stand out while helping your community.
When Is Valentine’s Day Celebrated?
If you’re marking your calendar, Valentine’s Day falls on the same date each year: February 14. Here’s a look at the day it will land on in the upcoming years, making planning for your celebrations even easier:
| Year | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | February 14, Friday |
| 2026 | February 14, Saturday |
| 2027 | February 14, Sunday |
| 2028 | February 14, Monday |
| 2029 | February 14, Wednesday |
| 2030 | February 14, Thursday |
From its legendary origins to its modern-day celebrations, Valentine’s Day reminds us all of the power of love, friendship, and connection.
Fun Facts About Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day in the U.S. is filled with interesting customs and quirky traditions that make February 14th special in more ways than one. From millions of heartfelt cards exchanged to sweets and flowers flooding the market, Americans go all out to show their affection. Pets get a share of the love, Cupid makes his annual appearance, and marriage proposals spike as couples take the plunge on this memorable day. Here’s a look at some fun facts that capture the spirit of Valentine’s Day in the U.S.
- Millions of Cards Exchanged: Valentine’s Day ranks as the second-largest card-sending holiday in the U.S., right after Christmas. According to the Greeting Card Association, Americans exchange roughly 145 million Valentine’s cards each year.
- Flowers Are in High Demand: Roses, particularly red ones, are the most popular Valentine’s Day flowers. It’s estimated that around 250 million roses are grown specifically for this day each year, with California supplying a significant number of blooms.
- Sweet Tooth Satisfaction: Americans buy over 58 million pounds of chocolate around Valentine’s Day. Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, first popularized by Richard Cadbury in the late 1800s, remain a best-seller.
- Pet Love Counts Too: Over 27 million Americans admit to buying Valentine’s gifts for their pets. This growing trend shows that people aren’t just celebrating with partners or friends but also treating their furry companions.
- Cupid as a Mascot: While Cupid traces back to Roman mythology as the mischievous god of love, he became a symbol of Valentine’s Day in the 19th century, especially as his image was used on cards and merchandise. His playful and romantic association persists today, making him almost synonymous with the holiday.
- Popular Proposal Day: Valentine’s Day ranks among the top days for marriage proposals in the U.S., with a surge of couples choosing it to make their engagement official. According to some surveys, around 10% of all proposals in a year happen on February 14.
- Sweetheart Candy Origins: The iconic Sweethearts candies with phrases like “Be Mine” and “Love You” originated in the U.S. back in the 1860s. Originally called “motto hearts,” they were inspired by the conversation candies used at parties and events. Today, they remain a nostalgic treat associated with Valentine’s Day, even if the messages have evolved over time.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
