Valentine's Day
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Valentine's Day, observed annually on February 14, is a global celebration of love, romance, and affectionate relationships between intimate partners, as well as between family members and friends. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and over the centuries has evolved from a religious feast day into a major secular cultural phenomenon. The modern holiday is characterized by the exchange of greeting cards, flowers particularly red roses, chocolates, jewelry, and other gifts between loved ones. It is one of the most commercially significant holidays worldwide, with billions of dollars spent annually on Valentine's Day merchandise in the United States alone. The day also includes traditions such as romantic dinners, marriage proposals, and declarations of love. In many countries, the celebration has expanded to include expressions of love among family members and friends, and in recent years the observance includes Galentine's Day on February 13, which celebrates platonic female friendships.
History
The origins of Valentine's Day are a blend of Christian and ancient Roman traditions. The Catholic Church recognizes several saints named Valentine, all of whom were martyred on February 14. The most famous legend involves a priest named Valentine who defied Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriages for young men and secretly performed weddings, for which he was executed around AD 270. The romantic association developed during the Middle Ages, particularly through the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, whose 1382 poem Parlement of Foules linked February 14 with the mating season of birds and romantic love. The tradition of exchanging valentines emerged in 15th-century France and England. By the 18th century, commercially printed cards became popular in Britain and America. Esther A. Howland, known as the Mother of the American Valentine, began mass-producing ornate Valentine's cards in the 1840s. The modern commercial Valentine's Day was further shaped by the greeting card industry, flower shops, and chocolate manufacturers in the 20th century.
How It's Celebrated
Valentine's Day is celebrated with the exchange of cards, letters, and gifts between romantic partners. Red roses are the traditional flower of choice, symbolizing passionate love. Couples often plan special dinners at restaurants or prepared at home, and many take the opportunity to propose marriage or renew their vows. Children exchange valentine cards with classmates in school activities, and friends celebrate platonic love with greeting cards and small gifts. Galentine's Day, popularized by the television show Parks and Recreation, involves women celebrating their friendships on February 13. In Japan and South Korea, the holiday has a unique structure where women give chocolates to men on February 14, with men reciprocating on White Day, March 14. Many people also use the day for acts of kindness, donating to charity, or volunteering with their partners as a shared activity.