The History of Valentine’s Day

By: Rylee Fisher

We’ve all been celebrating Valentine’s Day since forever. I remember passing out treats in elementary school and hoping for a valentine in middle school. Everyone celebrates this wonderful holiday, but where does it come from? I remember being told about Saint Valentine, but who is he really and how did his actions create a holiday that almost everyone in the U.S celebrates?

St. Valentine died on February 14, 269 AD, in Rome, Italy. He is the patron of lovers, epileptics, and beekeepers. According to legend, St. Valentine signed a letter “From your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter, whom he had befriended and healed from blindness. He put his hand over her eyes and prayed to God, healing the sick blind girl. Another legend states that he defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples to spare husbands from war. We celebrate Valentine’s day to honor him and what he did for love.

Valentine’s day is a beautiful holiday that brings love into the air. St. Valentine was a courageous man who stood by his beliefs and fought for love. I hope you learned a little more about the history of Valentine’s day!