Valentine’s Day Again

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, but it hasn’t always been the love-filled, card-exchanging, chocolate-sharing holiday we recognize today. Here’s a look at the fascinating history of this cherished celebration of love.

For some, Valentine’s is a romantic and sweet occasion; for others, it’s a not-so-subtle reminder of singlehood or simply a product of consumerism. No matter how you view it, this holiday has been marked in various ways for centuries.

While today we toast to love over wine, spaghetti, and roses, the ancient Romans honored the day with a very different vibe—through a fertility festival featuring animal sacrifices and raucous revelry.

So, let’s dive into the indulgent and wild origins of the holiday that eventually gave us conversation hearts with messages like “Cutie” and “Bae.”