February 2026
By Isabel Benitez and Mia Garcia, Staff Reporters
Valentine’s Day is one of our most prominent days of celebration, and many couples see it as their favorite day to celebrate love and romance. But what is the story behind this romantic day? And how did it get to be such an important part of our lives? Let’s learn about the history of the holiday.
What started valentines day?
Valentine’s day has been a celebration going on for many years and has brought joy to individuals. Valentine’s Day has many origins including Roman and Christian traditions. Back then, this festival involved rituals and practices that were later Christianized. Valentine’s Day took off in the 18th and 19th centuries and became a holiday of exchanging sentimental tokens.
The Christian aspect of Valentine’s Day was created because of an early Christian martyr named Valentine. Valentine was a priest who fought against banning marriages for young soldiers because others believed that single men made better warriors. Valentine secretly performed marriages for young couples, and when his actions were discovered, he was imprisoned and eventually executed on February 14th, hence the official day of Valentine’s day. Over time, the stories of St. Valentine became romanticized, and he was seen as a patron saint of lovers. By the Middle Ages, Valentine’s Day had become linked with love. Lovers exchanged handwritten letters and tokens of affection, often anonymously, to express their feelings. This practice laid the groundwork for the exchange of cards and gifts that would later become a hallmark of the holiday today.
What activities occur during Valentine’s Day?
People celebrate Valentine’s Day with classic romantic dinners, gift giving, or at home activities like cooking or game nights, but also get creative with experiences such as escape rooms, DIY projects, exploring new places, coffee dates, attending shows, or celebrating with friends and family through potlucks, hikes, or craft nights, focusing on connection and shared enjoyment. These celebrations bring people closer together showing the appreciation that holds between them. It doesn’t always take place with a lover but with friends too. Galentines is a usual celebration that occurs with girl friends. Girls gather up and decorate together, spending the day together doing fun activities.
Why do people celebrate Valentine’s day? People celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th to express love, romance, and appreciation for partners, friends, and family, and appreciating ancient Roman festivals and Christian traditions honoring martyrs named Valentine, evolving into a commercial holiday for gifts like flowers, chocolates, and cards, celebrated globally by couples, singles, and even schoolchildren. Children gather together at school, each individually bringing snacks and gifts to exchange with their peers.
The Cardinal Post 