Origin of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day began as a holy day on the Catholic calendar in honor of the martyr Valentine who was the patron saint of lovers. Even though the Catholic Church no longer honors Valentine, the romantic roots of the holiday persist today.

The origin of Valentine’s Day in the United States as we know it today is attributed to a woman named Esther Howland of Worcester, Massachusetts. The daughter of a book and stationery store owner, Esther popularized the giving of elaborately decorated valentine cards in the 1840s.

The idea began to spread and soon everyone was sending cards on Valentine’s Day. By the 1940s, card production was up more than ever. By this time, Valentine’s Day was not only for sweethearts but family members as well. It was common for parents to give their children cards and candy during this day. Men who were in the service during WWII sent home gifts such as customized pillow cases to their girlfriends, wives, mothers and sisters.

A cherub angel began to represent Valentine’s Day which is celebrated every February 14th. The angel is called Cupid and legend has it that if he strikes you with his bow and arrow, you will fall in love. This is a legend dating back centuries, but was incorporated into the holiday at the early part of the last century.

The heart shaped box of chocolates was made by Whitman Candy Company in the early 1930s. This heart shaped box of chocolates is still sold in stores everywhere for this holiday and is usually given to women.

By the 1950s, the children got involved in the whole Valentine’s Day concept as a holiday. Small cards were given out by school children everywhere on this special holiday. Schools often held a party on this day. In schools across the United States, the origin of Valentine’s day as a occasion to celebrate began around this time. Today, Valentine’s Day is one of the three days that there is a party in the classroom in grammar schools everywhere. The other two parties are usually for Halloween and Christmas.

Starting with the 1960s, women began giving cards to men. It was no longer considered inappropriate for a woman to give a card to a man who was not her husband by the 1960s. Women everywhere gave cards to their boyfriends. Women still got the heart shaped box of chocolates as a traditional gift.

By the latter part of the 20th century, it became common for men to give gifts, usually roses and chocolates, along with the cards to women to impress and woo them. By the 1980’s diamonds really did become a girl’s “best friend” when the diamond industry actively promoted jewelry giving for Valentine’s Day.

Even though the origin of Valentine’s Day goes back many centuries, it is one of the most popular and favorite holidays of modern times, rivaling Christmas in terms of exchanging greeting cards and gift-giving.