The History of Valentine’s Day

Did you know that Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14th, was originally part of the Roman festival Lupercalia?

Lupercalia was celebrated in the middle of February, beginning on February 13th, and ending on February 15th.

The event marked the coming of spring and was a celebration of fertility.

It wasn’t until the 5th century that Pope Gelasius I declared February 14th St. Valentine’s Day.

It was not always a holiday associated with love and endearment however.

The concept of romance was introduced in the early 1400’s with the oldest known Valentine’s Day poem being written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife from his London prison cell.