Valentine’s Day has been celebrated for centuries, with its roots in ancient Roman and Christian traditions. The holiday is thought to have been named after St. Valentine, a Catholic priest who was martyred in the third century. His supposed feast day, February 14th, was celebrated as a day of romance and became known as the day of love.

The holiday began to take shape in the Middle Ages, when the concept of courtly love was popular. Lovers exchanged gifts, such as flowers and cards, to express their devotion to one another. It was during this time that the oldest known Valentine’s Day card was sent, a poem written by the Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was held captive in the Tower of London.

It wasn’t until the 18th century that the holiday took on its modern form, with the advent of the printing press. Handwritten cards were replaced with factory-made cards, and the idea of sending flowers, candy, and other gifts became popular. The holiday has continued to evolve over the years, with the addition of the greeting card and gift industry.

Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated all over the world, with people exchanging cards, flowers, and gifts to show their love and appreciation for one another. The holiday is a reminder of the importance of love and friendship, and is a chance to express our feelings to those we care about. No matter how it is celebrated, Valentine’s Day will continue to be a special time of year to celebrate the joy of love.